SOSMentor’s mission is to decrease the alarming rates of childhood obesity and related illnesses by educating underserved youth
in health, nutrition and fitness and by motivating them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
in health, nutrition and fitness and by motivating them to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Our Mission
Goals
| • | To reduce the rate of childhood obesity and related illnesses among Los Angeles youth |
| • | To improve students' academic success and increase high school graduation rates |
| • | To increase high school graduation rates |
| • | To increase the number of high school graduates who pursue post secondary vocational training or higher education |
Objectives
| • | Provide students with innovative nutrition education that inspires better food choices |
| • | Provide students with fitness instruction that instills the importance of physical activity |
| • | Train caring adults to mentor high school students in proper nutrition, physical activity, and academics |
| • | Train high school students to mentor younger children in proper nutrition, physical activity, and academics |
The Problem
Everyday life for students at our inner city schools is rife with challenges. While these students are bright and capable, their potential is often buried by poverty and a lack of education. To overcome these hurdles and become productive adults, they need more support and guidance than our schools are currently able to offer.
In addition to the everyday struggles that our students face, they are also experiencing serious health problems. The following statistics illustrate the current childhood obesity epidemic and some of the contributing factors:
In addition to the everyday struggles that our students face, they are also experiencing serious health problems. The following statistics illustrate the current childhood obesity epidemic and some of the contributing factors:
| • | Childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. Nearly 20% of adolescents aged 6-19 are obese.1 |
| • | 70% of obese youth have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. They are also at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem.2 |
| • | According to a national study, 92 percent of elementary schools do not provide daily physical education classes for all students throughout the entire school year.3 Low-income communities tend to have fewer available parks and green spaces, places to play sports, and public pools and beaches. |
| • | There are three times as many supermarkets in wealthy neighborhoods as in poor neighborhoods, and four times as many supermarkets in predominantly white neighborhoods as in predominantly African-American ones.4 Meanwhile, the number of fast food outlets in low-income areas continues to increase.5 |
| • | There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in childhood obesity. According to a national study, from 1986 to 1998, overweight prevalence rose by more than 120 percent among African-American and Hispanic children, compared with more than 50 percent among whites.6 |
1 www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/obesity/index.htm 2Freedman DS, Zuguo M, Srinivasan SR, Berenson GS, Dietz WH. Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescents: the Bogalusa Heart Study. Journal of Pediatrics 2007;150(1):12-17 3School Health Policies and Programs Study. Journal of School Health 2001;71[7]) 4Morland K, Wing S, Diez Roux A, Poole C. Neighborhood characteristic associated with the location of food stores and food service places. Am J Prev Med 2002;22[1]:23-9 5Paeratakul S, Ferdinand D, Champagne C, Ryan D, Bray G. Fast-food consumption among US adults and children. J Am Diet Assoc 2003:103:1332-8 6Strauss RS, Pollack HA. Epidemic increase in childhood overweight.JAMA 2001;286:2845-8)
Our Solution
At SOSMentor, we are committed to improving the condition of life for underserved students through mentoring and educational programs. We teach our students important life skills that provide opportunities for growth, achievement, leadership and success.
Our strategies include:
At SOSMentor, we are committed to improving the condition of life for underserved students through mentoring and educational programs. We teach our students important life skills that provide opportunities for growth, achievement, leadership and success.
Our strategies include:
| • | Providing interactive nutrition and fitness education to underserved youth Through a series of workshops on proper nutrition and physical fitness, children learn how to redefine their eating habits and incorporate fitness into their everyday lives. The tools our students learn will help them make changes both in school and beyond the classroom that will positively serve them for the rest of their lives. |
| • | Leveraging resources to build a healthier community Partnering with community leaders, businesses, medical and education professionals, and after-school agencies, SOSMentor brings together various people working to improve the health of our community. Each of our programs is taught by a team of educators, a Registered Dietitian and a certified personal trainer. SOSMentor combines the expertise of various professionals to deliver a unique and comprehensive solution to the childhood obesity epidemic. |
| • | Empowering youth to become advocates for a healthy lifestyle A key component of our program is leadership development, which we accomplish through "train the trainer" mentoring. We provide our students with the tools and encouragement to become community health advocates and role models for younger students. The high school students become mentors themselves, reinforcing the lessons they have learned while spreading positive messages throughout the community. By empowering high school students to become community leaders and advocates for healthy eating and increased physical activity, we have proven that “peer pressure” can be positive when teens serve as role models for younger children. |