Yo Quiero, Yo Puedo brings healthy habits to Mexican schools

The end of 2020 will not likely be remembered for much good news. But in the fall, an encouraging article appeared in the American Journal of Applied Psychology. A team of educators and public health experts in Mexico had successfully improved the ability of teachers, students and parents to improve healthy habits relating to diet and exercise.

The article explored the impact of a project designed by Martha Givaudan and her team at Instituto Mexicano de Investigación de Familia y Población A.C. (IMIFAP) and supported by WDF.

The project Yo Quiero, Yo Puedo ... mejorar la nutrición infantil y prevenir la diabetes (I want, I can … improve child nutrition and prevent diabetes), sought to reduce childhood obesity in Chihuahua – the state with the highest childhood obesity rates in Mexico. It was part of Yo Quiero, Yo Puedo, a series of IMIFAP initiatives working to build life skills and knowledge in marginalised Mexican communities.

The project targeted 720 teachers in 187 schools across the region. The teachers received specially designed educational materials, training, and help from facilitators to roll out the programme to students. Parents were invited to informational meetings about the project, where they were introduced to its messages.