CONMIGO AT THE YMCA OF SAN DIEGO COUNTY

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SAN DIEGO STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION

Conmigo is a 12-week program that supports Latina girls ages 8-11 and their mothers through evidence-based behavior change strategies to increase physical activity and other health outcomes. Additionally, the Conmigo program works to reinforce strong relationships and improve communication skills. 

Some of the activities in the program include:

• Fitness
• Communication skills training
• Discussions about body image, mental health and puberty 

Expert Insights on Latina Health and the CONMIGO Initiative

“Once girls hit adolescence, data shows that girls’ self-esteem just plummets and depression increases, anxiety increases and physical activity goes down,” said Elva Arredondo, an SDSU psychology professor and researcher leading the program. “Preventative programs like Conmigo can help buffer some of those effects” (Arredondo, n.d.).

There’s also a reason why the program targets Latinas. Arredondo (n.d.) noted that Latina women with underserved backgrounds are less likely to engage in physical activity, which contributes to higher health risks.

The Conmigo program targets Latina mothers and daughters because Latina women and other minority women with underserved backgrounds are less likely to be physically active. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023), adult Latinos in the U.S. have the highest percentage of physical inactivity among racial/ethnic groups.

CONMIGO SITE LOCATIONS

THROUGHOUT SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Citations:

1. Arredondo, E. (n.d.). Dr. Arredondo’s Conmigo project: Helping Latina mothers and daughters. San Diego State University. https://psychology.sdsu.edu/dr-arredondos-conmigo-project-helping-latina-mothers-and-daughters/
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Physical inactivity among adults aged ≥18 years, by race/ethnicity and sex — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/reports/inactivity-2023