Candy bars, Pop-Tarts and french fries were always on the menu in Ruth Sanchez's daily diet.
For years, the 17-year-old consistently made poor eating choices. "Fast food is what I would eat the most," she recalled.
Ruth, a former Merced Scholars Charter School student, said the two main reasons she turned to fast food were because it was affordable and easy to get.
"You are on the run, and you are going to get something from the $1 menu," she explained. "It's quick and it's the cheapest."
Not only did Ruth, who weighs 183 pounds, make the wrong choices when it came to eating, she also didn't live an active life.
That's no longer the case. She has made a dramatic change in her habits.
This is part two in a four-part series.
Part one: Convenience often trumps nutrition
Low prices, availability and aggressive targeted marketing are all factors that ensure children and teenagers are eating more fast food than ever before. The Network for a Healthy California is pushing for outdoor advertising that encourages healthier choices. This is part one in a four-part series.
Part two: Committed to nutrition
From the Jonas Brothers to Antonio Banderas, celebrities are cutting deals with Big Pharma. Plus more from our Daily Briefing.
For many Mexican immigrants living in New York, working multiple jobs leaves little time for regular exercise. In addition, a heavy reliance on public transportation and a lack of rural areas means that physical activity is virtually nonexistent. Health experts cite this sedentary lifestyle as an emerging gateway to diabetes, especially among immigrants.
This story was originally published in Spanish. Below is the English translation.
With limited access to affordable fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods, Mexicans living in New York are frequenting fast food restaurants instead of farmers' markets. The result is a spike in obesity and diabetes among this immigrant group.
This story was originally published in Spanish. Below is the English translation.
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This story was originally published in Spanish. Below is the English translation.
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