Background: The Latino Health for All (LHFA) Coalition used a community-based participatory approach to develop an action plan for addressing chronic disease among Latinos in Kansas City.
Objectives: This study examines the development and implementation of community-based soccer sessions for youth (ages 6-15) by an academic partner from the coalition and a community partner from a nonprofit youth soccer organization.
Methods: The academic and community partners spoke four times over 3 months to plan for these soccer sessions. These conversations ranged from sharing goals to planning logistics. The coalition helped to promote these opportunities through a variety of channels.
Results: Eight weekly soccer sessions were implemented, attracting Latino youth who were overweight or obese. These soccer sessions were perceived as enjoyable by youth and were appreciated by their parents.
Conclusions: Successful health promotion efforts require strong relationships between academic and community partners that involve shared goals and complementary skills/ expertise.