SIBLEY – Latino families will learn how to improve their health and stay fit during a four-week series of free classes offered by Iowa State University Extension in partnership with Osceola Community Hospital.

The four-week Latinos Living Well classes will be held March 31, April 7, April 21 and April 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Osceola Community Hospital, in Sibley.

“There are many excellent wellness programs available to the public, but they aren’t geared toward Latinos and the cultural factors that influence their diets and physical activities,” said Renee Sweers, Human Sciences specialist for Iowa State University Extension. “These classes focus specifically on Latino families, the foods they eat and their daily activities.”

Sweers said the classes are designed to reduce diabetes, heart disease and other diet-associated conditions that strike Latinos at nearly twice the rate as other populations.

The classes will meet one time per week over four sessions. Attendees will:

A). Discover the types of foods that keep the body healthy.

B). Learn how to shop smarter.

C). Prepare and taste great-tasting foods in class.

D). Learn how to build physical activity into each day.

The classes will be presented in both Spanish and English.

The classes are free, but pre-registration is requested.

To register, contact Claudia, at (712) 754-2574.

All registration and attendance information will be kept confidential.