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Save-A-Lot to Host Bilingual Childhood Obesity Awareness Event

OAK CLIFF, Texas — Save-A-Lot’s newest store here is gearing up to host a childhood obesity prevention event Saturday. Free health and body mass index screenings, fitness activities, cooking demos and consultations with health professionals will be conducted in both English or Spanish since the location is the retailer’s first to serve a predominantly Latino population.

OAK CLIFF, Texas — Save-A-Lot’s newest store here is gearing up to host a childhood obesity prevention event Saturday. Free health and body mass index screenings, fitness activities, cooking demos and consultations with health professionals will be conducted in both English or Spanish since the location is the retailer’s first to serve a predominantly Latino population.

“The goal of the event is to provide information and resources that many Hispanics might not be aware of due to a language barrier, or because they are new to the country,” Andrea Wagner, vice president of fresh for Save-A-Lot told SN.

Save-A-Lot is hosting the event in partnership with the American Diabetes Association, YMCA, Dallas County Health & Human Services, Dallas City WIC, Texas A&M Agri-Life, Fit-for-Me Foundation and Dallas Concilio.

Statistics show that one in three children in the U.S. is overweight or obese, but rates are even higher in the Hispanic community with 39% of kids affected.

Since Hispanics are almost twice as likely to develop diabetes as non-Hispanic whites, the ADA will partner with a nurse from the Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, to conduct blood pressure screenings and check for acanthosis nigricans, or dark velvety marks that present themselves on those who produce too much insulin, said Gina Perales Hethcock, director of communications and hispanic initiatives for the ADA.

“If children are found to be at risk, [the nurse] will refer them to a doctor from her own health system,” she said.

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