About ShapeUp

The SOSMentor ShapeUp program uses academic mentoring to empower high school students with the skills to become role models and advocates for healthy eating and increased physical activity for younger students and family.  Over the course of a 10-week program, ShapeUp provides high school students with education in health, nutrition and fitness.  Specifically, we employ a team academic mentoring structure in which lessons are taught by teachers, a registered dietitian, and/or a community volunteer.  Each lesson is facilitated by volunteer mentors from the school staff, businesses, service organizations, and local colleges.  The high school students then act as mentors to students at a nearby elementary school.

The goals of the program are:

• To address the epidemic of unfit and overweight children and families in Los Angeles.
• To reduce the rate of childhood obesity and related illnesses.
• To improve students’ fitness levels.
• To empower students to become advocates for healthy eating and increased activity.
• To teach high school students the importance of making healthy food choices and exercising regularly by holding them accountable via self-reported journals.
• To increase youth participation in regular physical activity.

Why the SOSMentor ShapeUp Program Works!

Research shows that success is more likely if:

1. You focus on lifestyle changes that can result in weight loss and better health.
   
   
2. You help kids take control of their lives, rather than focus on success or failure.
   
   
3. You do not focus on weight loss.
   
   
4. You incorporate teams of people, ie: physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, and family members.
   
   
5. Society makes changes in terms of the quantity and quality of food we make available.
   
   
6. People change how people relate to obese people.
   
   
7. Children talk to their parents about their eating habits. Mellin et al., (2002) found that family connectedness mediated the adverse effects of obesity.  Children who talked to their parents about their eating habits were less likely to be involved in unhealthy behaviors and displayed less psychosocial distress.
   
   
8. You participate in collective activities, such as sports and club activities, which, in turn, lead to improved social ties.
   

Download the SOSMentor ShapeUp Brochure

Download the SOSMentor ShapeUp Brochure 2