GAITHERSBURG, Md., Dec. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund), the Walmart Foundation and Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, hosted a nutrition workshop at Children's Hospital Los Angeles on December 17th. The event was part of the Parent School Partnership (PSP) program, a MALDEF initiative that seeks to provide parents the tools they need to become agents of change in their communities.
In 2009, MALDEF expanded the PSP program, with support from Sodexo, to establish a health and wellness initiative. This year, the Walmart Foundation joined the initiative that aims to inform Latino families on the crucial topics of health and well-being, and works with them to improve their eating habits. So far, the health and wellness initiative has worked with families in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Seattle, Houston, and Chicago. It is expanding to other communities in Central Florida, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, as well as cities in North Carolina and Tennessee.
The workshop featured a nutrition education program and cooking demonstrations for Latino parents. A registered dietitian and executive chef led workshops that cover basic concepts of health, nutrition, and healthy cooking techniques. The workshops provided a holistic approach to planning healthy family meals, shopping, and preparation.
"Research shows that Latino children are disproportionately affected by diabetes, obesity, and stress-related disorders," said Sodexo Executive Chef Sterling Smith. "The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey estimates that approximately two in five Latino children face nutrition-based challenges that often lead to chronic health disease. The collaborative efforts of MALDEF PSP and Sodexo's Nutritional Wellness program underscores a shared vision for addressing such issues."
Since the program was launched, PSP's innovative health and wellness initiative has worked with more than 6,000 Latino families across the United States.
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