Office of Border Health
New Mexico Department of Health - Division of Policy and Performance
Mary & the Junk Food Eaters Film
Welcome to a special film and comic book created by youth for youth from two different schools in Nuevo Leon Mexico and Vado, New Mexico. The New Mexico Department of Health Office of Border Health worked with the U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission Mexican Section’s Nuevo Leon State Coordinating Office in the design of the film and comic book intended to promote behavioral change that will lead to better nutrition, reduced fat and sugar consumption, and increased physical activity in children and adolescents. The process involved in the production of the movie was truly a binational effort: two focus groups of teens were convened in two locations within the U.S.-Mexico Border Region to formulate a script that would be appropriate and enjoyable for border youth. With input from both groups, the script was written by Angie Sanchez Corral. It was reviewed for medical and cultural accuracy by the New Mexico Department of Health, and was produced in both English and Spanish. The teen actors for the film were drawn from the members of the youth focus group in Vado.
The film and comic book are targeted to youth, but adults will enjoy it, too. The materials will impart an understanding about the
risks of obesity and its negative impact on our health and well-being, including diabetes, hypertension and other associated
diseases. The production also promotes practical strategies and actions to prevent obesity and reduce the risks of diabetes onset.
We hope you will enjoy this film and comic book, and find it appropriate to show to
the at-risk population in your clinic/organization/agency.
Mary & the Junk Food Eaters
Maria y Sus Amigos Come Chatarra
