Statistical Report Summary

Compiled by SOS Mentor ShapeUp Program

July 2009 - January 2010 

SOSMentor is a 10-week nutrition education-mentoring program. This semester, the ShapeUp program was conducted at Santee Education Complex, Birmingham High School. Belmont High School, and Canoga Park High School. During the ShapeUp program:

• Students are encouraged to make healthier food choices and be more physically active.
• Students are empowered to become advocates for healthy eating.
• Students gain confidence and build self-esteem as mentors.
• At the end of 11 weeks, students, mentors, family members, and sponsors are invited to a culmination event to recognize the students and mentors who participated in the program.

The ShapeUp Program is implemented in high schools with at least 65% or more students qualifying for the free and reduced lunch program.

• 65% or more students at our schools come from families with incomes 185% or more below the federal poverty level.
• Low-income adolescents face more barriers to healthy weight.

Overall Facts:

• Obese adolescents are more likely than adolescents of normal weight to become overweight or obese adults, and therefore more at risk for associated adult health problems, including type II diabetes.
• Americans spend 150 billion a year to treat obesity related conditions. Each year in California, overweight and obesity costs families, employees, the health care industry and the government 21 billion, more than any other state. (Finkelstein EA, Fiebelkorn IC, Wang G. State-level estimates of annual medical expenditures attributed to obesity. (Obesity Research. Jan 2004; 12(1): 18-24)
• In the United States, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased dramatically in both adults and children in the past three decades. In 1970, about 15% of adults were obese and by 2004, the rate had climbed to 32%. The prevalence of overweight and obesity among nearly tripled among 12-19 year olds and more than quadrupled among 6-11 year olds in the last three decades. In California, among adolescents, 14% are obese and another 16% are overweight.  (2005 California Health Interview Survey)

Facts - Children's Health and Eating Habits in the United States: 

• Children and teens consume 20 percent more calories than a generation ago.
• The average 10-year-old girl weighed 77 pounds in 1963 - in 2010, 88 pounds.
• The average 10-year-old boy weighed 74 - in 2010, 85 pounds.
• Obesity triggers significant health problems, even more than smoking or drinking,.
• Only 2 percent of U.S. children eat a healthy diet as defined by the USDA.
• "Husky" car seats were developed several years ago. In 2006, more than 250,000 children under 6 exceeded the weight standards for regular seats.
• Soft-drink consumption has increased 300 percent in 20 years, and is the leading source of added sugars for adolescents.
• One-fourth of all vegetables eaten in the U.S. are replaced by french fries or chips.
• One-fourth of all U.S. children and adults combined eat fast food at least once a day.

The Center for Advanced Studies in Nutrition and Social Marketing was established in January 1999 to enhance social marketing strategies to improve nutrition and physical activity behaviors related to the prevention of cancer and other chronic diseases. The Center is housed at the University of California, Davis, in the Department of Public Health Sciences , within the School of Medicine. 

UCCE Food Behavior Checklist - The UCCE Food Behavior Checklist was given to the high school student participants in the ShapeUp program during week 1 (Orientation) and then again in week 11 (Evaluation). 

Study: 

After completing the training, students made positive changes in their knowledge base and level of awareness related to:

• Main food groups.
• Nutrients and servings.
• Importance of daily physical activity.
• Reading food labels.
• Making healthier food choices.

        Results: See charts. 

After completing the training, students in the ShapeUp program made the following significantly positive changes in behavior. Data is based upon students’ answers to the UCCE Food Behavior Checklist. Corresponding charts can be found here.

• 15% increase in students snacking on fruits and vegetables on a frequent basis (In the “Yes, often” or “Yes, everyday” categories).
• 10% decrease in students drinking regular soda.
• 7% increase in students consuming 1.5 or more cups of fruit daily¹.
• 11% increase in students consuming more than one type of fruit.
• 20%increase in students consuming 2 or more cups of vegetables.
• 20% increase in students eating more than one type of vegetable.
• 22% increase in students using Food Labels while grocery shopping.
• 10% increase in students feeling they have average or above average eating habits.