According to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service, 30 percent of Hispanic households with children are food insecure, meaning they have limited or uncertain access to healthy food. In addition, the CDC estimates 22 percent of Hispanic children to be obese. NIFA has joined the fight against food insecurity and obesity by funding the University of Illinois’ program “Abriendo Caminos” (Clearing the Path) with a $926,500 AFRI grant. The workshop-based curriculum teaches the importance of family activities. Examples of these activities include meal preparation, choosing healthy alternatives, exercising, and other physical activity. These combined efforts help strengthen the link between strong family units and healthy eating, both of which are major components of fighting childhood obesity.
NIFA originally published this impact in the NIFA 2016 Annual Report. Want to read about more impacts like this? Check out Fresh from the Field, a weekly bulletin showcasing transformative impacts made by grantees funded by NIFA.
