Soft drinks have been tied to obesity. Some schools have banned sodas but eight out of 10 high schools still rely on soft drink manufacturers to provide beverages to students. An estimated 16 percent of Latino high schoolers in the U.S. are overweight,with another 16 percent at risk of becoming overweight.

Nearly half of all Latinos live in the "inner city" where there are less spaces for physical recreation – like parks. One out of every four TV commercials viewed by teens are for potentially unhealthy snacks like fast food, soft drinks and candy.

Low-income households are more likely to rely on convenience stores rather than supermarkets, which can lead to a diet filled with high-calorie and high-fat foods. Poor neighborhoods usually have a higher proportion of fast-food restaurants. In 2005, at least one in four Latino adults in the U.S. was obese. Those who battle obesity are more likely to have life-threatening health problems like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.