Boosting physical activity and fitness for underserved Latino families on the U.S.-Mexico border
Promoting Physical Activity and Fitness Among Underserved Latino Families Living in U.S.-Mexico Border Regions
A year-long family activity program followed by a year of local support to help Latino parents and their young children along the U.S.-Mexico border become more active and healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | San Diego State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Diego, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11469160 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You and your child would join a program run at your local community recreation center, where centers are randomly assigned to offer the Athletes for Life curriculum or continue standard classes. The 12-month Athletes for Life program uses family-centered behavior-change sessions, structured activities, and supports, followed by a one-year active sustainability phase to keep changes going. About 290 parent-child pairs across 8 centers in San Diego and Mexicali will be enrolled, and staff will measure activity, fitness, and how acceptable and feasible the program is for families and center staff. Whether your center delivers the new program or standard classes, the study will follow families over two years to see which approach better supports lasting activity changes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are Latino parent-child pairs with children about 0–11 years old who live near participating recreation centers in San Diego or Mexicali and can attend regular in-person sessions.
Not a fit: Families who live outside the participating border communities, do not have young children, or cannot attend in-person sessions are unlikely to be eligible or benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help families increase regular physical activity and fitness and reduce obesity-related risk among children and parents in border communities.
How similar studies have performed: Family-based physical activity and behavioral programs have shown promise for improving child activity and weight outcomes, though applying and sustaining them across U.S.-Mexico border communities is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
San Diego, United States
- San Diego State University — San Diego, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Crespo, Noe Cuauhtemoc — San Diego State University
- Study coordinator: Crespo, Noe Cuauhtemoc
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.