Imagine streets lined with litter, speeding cars, unleashed dogs, and dark streets after sunset.  These are the neighborhoods of the Texas-Mexico Border Colonias where childhood obesity among Mexican-American children is rampant. It is no wonder these children seldom desire to participate in physical activities that other children in safer, cleaner environments enjoy each day. “Mexican-American children are disproportionately affected by obesity compared to other population groups,” says lead researcher Dr. Nelda Mier, formerly of the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health. In seeking answers, Dr.Mier and additional researchers went right to the heart of the matter – conducting focus groups with colonia children ages eight to 13.