Obesity is a public health issue in Chile. Among causes of high obesity levels are sedentary lifestyle, confusion about what a balanced diet is, lack of public spaces for recreation as well as public safety.
This programme aims to promote, engage and empower the community of Peñalolén, in Santiago, on topics of nutrition and healthy lifestyles. The goal is to improve the quality of people´s lives, encouraging the practice of recreational & physical activities as well as healthy food habits through their active participation in the programme.
“Vecinos en Acción” has contributed to obesity and sedentarism reduction, adoption of healthy lifestyles, and network creation. This project was launched in 2007 and benefits more than 3'000 young and adult people. It will serve as a model to be reproduced in other communities in Chile.
Vecinos en Acción Partnership with Peñalolén Community, consists in:
1.- Education programme on Nutrition, Health and Wellness (NHW). The course takes place at Nestlé headquarters by nutritionists from the University of Chile and has been specially designed for community leaders. They are certified as Nestlé NHW Monitors upon completion of the course, leading to courses given by them to their respective neighbourhoods. The project thus aims to empower community leaders so that they can reproduce this programme in their respective neighborhoods.
2.- Education programme on physical activities / promotion of healthy lifestyles. It is also aimed at preparing community leaders so that they reproduce the programme in the long term. This consists in free recreational & physical activity courses for sedentary people in the community. Monthly an average 5,800 persons take part in these courses.
3.- A study is currently being performed by INTA (Instituto de Tecnología de los Alimentos of the University of Chile) to evaluate the impact of the programme in the community.
4.- Motivational activities addressed to all the participants of the programme throughout the year.
In December 2007, the Major of Peñalolén gave the programme an award for its contribution to the community, recognizing its positive impact on the life of the community.