Futbolito for All explores soccer’s impact on child wellness

A research project, Futbolito for All, led by Andrea Ramirez Varela, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor of pediatrics at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, recently partnered with Houston Dynamo and Dash Charities to provide soccer programming for elementary and middle school students in the Galena Park area.

“In children, physical activity plays a critical role not only in preventing obesity and associated comorbidities, but also in ensuring optimal motor and cognitive development, with evidence supporting benefits for academic performance, mental, and social health outcomes,” Ramirez Varela said. “Despite its well-recognized benefits, less than a quarter of children and adolescents ages 6-17 meet physical activity guidelines in the United States. Addressing these barriers through contextually relevant, culturally tailored interventions could lead to significant health benefits and help reduce these disparities.”

For Latino children, soccer is the most popular sport, and soccer-based intervention programs can increase physical activity among Latino youth. However, using these programs to improve health-related outcomes remains limited because youth soccer programs primarily focus on team or competition performance.

Futbolito for All aims to bridge the gap between participation and measurable health benefits to make physical activity both accessible and sustainable. Instead of emphasizing scores or team rankings, sessions are structured around fun, movement, and inclusion. Activities are designed to get every child moving, regardless of skill level, and to promote the joy of play.

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