Developing an Academic-Community Partnership to Promote Soccer-Based Physical Activity Among Latino Youth.

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.