Latinas are more prone to certain health risks than any other ethnic groups.
The U.S. Depart of Health and Human Services, says “Latinas also have high rates of some factors that increase the risk of developing heart disease, such as diabetes, overweight and obesity and, physical inactivity.”
Heart Disease is the No.1 killer of Latinas in the United States, according to Health and Human Services.
Chula Vista resident Arlene Gonzalez, 39, became aware of these health issues that are so prevalent in her race, so she created Latinas A Correr, a running group for Latinas that promotes a healthier lifestyle.
The running group’s mission is to encourage, inspire and empower women to run.
“Latina’s A Correr’s goal is to create a culture of physical and emotional well being and an adversary that contradicts the statistics,” she said. “My goal is to create a community of women living a healthy lifestyle.”
Anyone can join the group, but Gonzalez said its target audience is Latina’s because they are the ones who typically don’t live a healthy lifestyle. She blames Latina culture for not advocating for exercise or ¬health eating.
Gonzalez has taken her efforts to improve the health of Latinas, specifically in Southwest Chula Vista, where she said with the demographics and low-income population there is a need for a better lifestyle.
Gonzalez,39, is dating former Chula Vista Councilman Rudy Ramirez who plans on making another run for city council in the Southwest District.
Gonzalez understands it’s pretty costly to live healthy, but she said running wouldn’t be a financial burden, as it doesn’t cost anything other than a pair of running shoes.
She said runners do not have to burden the cost of a gym membership or spend money on gas getting to the gym.
For those runners who can’t afford a pair of running shoes, her employer, Road Runner Sports will donate a pair of second hand running shoes for those in need.
Gonzalez, an avid runner, believes running does more than provide healthy living.
“If you’re healthy and living that type of environment, you’re bettering other things in your life,” she said. “ You’re more active. You live happier. You have more energy. You’re even better at your job.”
Gonzalez created Latina’s A Correr three years ago when she was going through a divorce. She found running cleared her mind and helped her escape her troubles in the moment.
Latinas A Correr has about 23 members.
The group had originally launched in North County but Gonzalez found that there was not a need for this group because people in North County were already exercising and eating right.
It was a trolley ride that convinced her that such a group could be useful in Chula Vista. She said one day she rode on a trolley from San Ysidro to Chula Vista and saw many Latinas on that trolley ride out of shape. She then asked herself what could she do to help these women become healthier? And that’s when she thought about incorporating her group in the Chula Vista community.
Along with running, Latinas A Correr also provides nutrition classes and life coaching. A running coach is also on hand to teach runners the proper form and technique to avoid injury.
The group meets twice a week to run, with a run in Southwest Chula Vista on Mondays and on Tuesdays they run somewhere in San Diego.
Latinas A Correr held its first conference Oct. 23 at the Chula Vista Women’s club. The conference talked about running, nutrition, and health living and also offered relationship advice.
Gonzalez said the plan is to host a conference on different topics every other month.
