Raising the Next Generation of Healthy Hispanics

This post is part of a sponsored collaboration with Anthem Foundation. All opinions are mine.

Happy Hispanic Heritage Month! I’m so excited to tell you about the work that Anthem Foundation is doing to create a healthier generation of Americans and how its support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Triple Play youth wellness program benefits Hispanic youth.

But first, a little bit about Hispanic Heritage Month and what it’s all about…

History of Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year in America, from September 15 until October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. It is a celebration of the histories, cultures and contributions of Latinos in the United Sates.

This celebration dates back to 1968 when it was observed as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. That week was turned into a month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan who extended the celebration to cover the 30-day period from September 15 to September 30. On August 17, 1988, the observance was enacted into law.

The reason Hispanic Heritage Month starts on the 15^th of September and not on the 1^st has to do with the significance of that day. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on that day. Shortly thereafter on the 16^th Mexico celebrates its independence, closely followed by Chile on the 18^th and Belize on the 21^st.

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Why We All Celebrate

We celebrate as a nation because there is no doubt that Latinos have contributed greatly to this country and as the Latino/Hispanic population in this country continues to grow, it only makes sense that our contributions will grow as well. That’s why the funding that Anthem Foundation provides to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Triple Play youth wellness program is so important for the future of Latinos/Hispanics in this country and our nation as a whole.

Triple Play is focused on improving the mind, body and soul of our nation’s kids and teens at a time when 1 in 3 young people and 41% of Hispanic youth are considered overweight or obese. Hispanic or Latino kids benefit from this program in a big way because they make up 23% of participants.

Check out this video to learn more about how Anthem Foundation is supporting programs that will help us all raise a healthier generation of Americans.

 

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