MAUC and NCLR to Host San Antonio Exhibit that Engages Latino Youth on Health and Lifestyle

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE            Contact:
January 25, 2013                             Kathy Mimberg, NCLR
                                                            (202) 776-1714; kmimberg@nclr.org
                                                             Debra Hernandez, Mexican American Unity Council
                                                             (210) 978-0510; dhernandez@mauc.org.

CDC reports more than one-quarter of Black and Hispanic children in Bexar County are obese

SAN ANTONIO—With obesity rates among minority youth in San Antonio disproportionately high, the Mexican American Unity Council, Inc. (MAUC) and NCLR (National Council of La Raza) are engaging the community in examining the barriers to a healthy lifestyle for young Latinos.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 27 percent of Black and Hispanic children are obese in Bexar County, in which San Antonio is located, and the obesity rate continues to climb.  As part of a concerted effort to involve youth in addressing this critical issue, MAUC and NCLR will host a photo voice exhibit at MAUC offices in San Antonio on Thursday, January 31. 

The exhibit, “Reflejos de Mi Comunidad” (Reflections of My Community), will display the insight of local Latino youth as they reflect on unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits and how they may affect their generation’s future.  The public is invited to view the projects of local 12- to 18-year-old students who contributed their perspectives and ideas on nutrition and active living to a photo essay contest that asked them to portray their own eating and lifestyle habits.  Exhibit information is available via Twitter at #Reflejos.

The exhibit follows a recent project to assess the barriers that prevent low-income, inner-city Latino youth from eating healthily and living an active lifestyle.  Noted barriers include unhealthy school lunches and a lack of infrastructure that supports walking and biking.  There are also barriers to participation in extracurricular sports due to cost, lack of transportation and challenges faced by Spanish-speaking parents.  The project and exhibit are sponsored by Sodexo and the ConAgra Foods Foundation.  A similar exhibit was recently held in Chicago.

“Good health is built on a strong foundation of nutrition and physical activity.  Nearly one-quarter of high school students are considered obese in Bexar County.  With this exhibit, we hope to engage San Antonio teenagers, parents, educators and community leaders in a common mission to help young Latinos enjoy long and healthy lives,” said Fernando S. Godinez, MAUC President and CEO. 

If you plan on attending the event, RSVP to Debra Hernandez at (210) 978-0510 or dhernandez@mauc.org.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT:     “Reflejos de Mi Comunidad,” a local youth photo exhibit

WHO:     MAUC and NCLR 

WHEN:     Thursday, January 31, 2013
                   6:30–8:00 p.m.   

WHERE:     Mexican American Unity Council, Inc.
                    2300 W. Commerce, Suite 200
                    Community Room
                    San Antonio, TX 78207

TO COVER:  Please contact Kathy Mimberg at NCLR at kmimberg@nclr.org or Debra Hernandez at the Mexican American Unity Council at dhernandez@mauc.org or (210) 978-0510. Exhibit information is available via Twitter at #Reflejos.

NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans.  For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter. 

MAUC provides guidance and services in areas of education, housing, community and economic development.

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