Promoting Healthy Communities and Active Living with Children and Youth-Role of Ecoclubs

Under the umbrella of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Healthy Kinds Healthy Communities initiative, the Pan American Health Organization and core community partners, are implementing different strategies in El Chamizal neighborhood of El Paso, Texas in order to prevent and control childhood and youth obesity. This neighborhood was selected due to its urban make-up, limited access to healthy and quality food, and lack of green recreational space. The presentation will include data of number of Ecoclubs, number of children and youth members in each and an overview of the various activities and results. One strategy is the development of Ecoclubs, as an organization formed and led by children and young whose overall objective is to generate solutions to common environmental problems affecting their community. Through leadership training processes and teamwork, members of the Ecoclub El Chamizal developed specific interventions such as revitalization of green areas, garbage and recyclable materials, interaction with city officials for support in their actions, education about water conservation, reuse of materials, waste classification, and involvement of the entire community. Through these actions taken outdoors and more interaction with their community, children are changing their lifestyles, doing more physical activity than before. This has been recognized by the International Network of Ecoclubs, incorporating this Ecoclub as the first one in the U.S. and in the U.S.-Mexico Border Network of Ecoclubs. Its example has served to form new Ecoclubs in Ciudad Juarez, Hermosillo and Nogales in Sonora and in New Mexico.