The People Environment Research Gorup welcomes Mónica Maldonado, a Mexican psychologist conducting a research stay

Since last May 16 the People Environment Research Group is pleased to host Monica Maldonado, a Mexican Psychologist who will be at the University of Coruña in a research visit for 1 month and a half under the auspices of the National Commission on Science and Technology (CONACYT ) from the Mexican Government and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).

During her presentation, Monica Maldonado briefly introduced her research interests and some work done in the area of Social and Environmental Psychology. Her research efforts are now focused on designing interventions aimed at early childhood education in Mexico to help reducing and preventing obesity. Mexico is the second country worldwide with higher rates of overweight. Among the possible reasons for this, Monica Maldonado pointed to the high presence of carbohydrates in traditional Mexican diet, the extent of sedentary habits among the population and the high cost of fresh food in her home country. Recent studies by the World Health Organization show that the adoption of habits begins between the ages of 3 and 5 years. In this line, the Studies Program in which the work of Monica Maldonado is developed consists of the design and implementation of interventions such as school gardens, and it takes place entirely in kindergartens in the area of Mexico City, looking to generate sustainable habits from preschool ages.