Encouraging customers to make healthy choices every time they shop is one of the goals of Guadalupe Lopez, owner of Arteaga’s Food Center located in Newark.

Lopez’s mission is a natural one for several reasons. She is owner of several food markets in the Bay Area, and diabetes and obesity have impacted her family. When her brother was diagnosed with diabetes, it had a big impact on the whole family. Lopez decided to change her eating habits and also

decided to help families, and especially kids, change their eating habits as well.

“We are a family owned business”, Lopez said. “We treat our clients like our own family. We are neighbors so we know many of our customers on a personal basis - the staff also knows the clients so it is like a big family.”

Because of these relationships, Lopez can connect to people and learn what their challenges are. And she knows first hand the challenge of been obese among Latinos.

Results of a recent study at the University of Southern California are in line with other recent studies identifying obesity as the No. 1 health issue for Latinos. In some U.S. states, the rate of obesity is as high as 35 percent.

According to medical professionals, obesity in adults tends to increase the chance of diabetes, hypertension, heart problems and stroke.

“I know many parents do not teach healthy habits to their kids, many times because they do not know themselves,” Lopez continued. “Exercise and eating habits are common sense but environmental support is essential to the success of any wellness plan."

Habits tied to a culture can be hard to break. Among Latinos, big meals with family are part of our lives, but Lopez believes that parents have to take the initiative for change.

“If we, as parents start to be sure that the diet of our kids contains fruits and vegetables it will be a great start,” she says. “We the adults have to start to change our habits and our kids will emulate us. That way, I think we all are going to have a better future.”

Lopez is very involved with the community and schools helping kids to achieve their goals. She has  also organized  several free health fairs in which she highlights ways shoppers can make sure good health is not sacrificed during a bad economy.

“Food stores are the perfect place for shoppers to overcome challenges and put healthy foods on their tables," she concludes.