BodiMojo products are evidence and research based.
Mission Driven + Evidence Based = BodiMojo Integrity
The integrity of the BodiMojo mission is rooted in the behavioral and social sciences. The big vision is to reach the largest number of teens to affect the greatest positive change through mindfulness, compassion and self-care. We help teens use both head and heart to create their own mojo and acquire the skills to live their best lives.
We involve all stakeholders in our development: kids, parents, behavioral scientists, technologists, health providers and educators. This integrity is also underscored through substantial funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the scientific backgrounds of team members and expert advisors.
Modern Teens are at Risk for Poorer Health Outcomes.
According to the World Health Organization, the developmental phase of adolescence now spans 10 to 24 years of age. That’s 1.8 billion teenagers worldwide and 64 million in the USA (or 21%). 1 in 5 people are teenagers.
Teenagers are considered a marketing segment, where tweens constitute the 8-12-year-old group and teens, 13-19. Adolescence is a long phase. A lot can happen in these sensitive and impressionable years!
While mortality rates have dropped in the US over the past 50 years, teen health has improved far less than health in younger children.
↓ Childhood infectious diseases (have decreased)
↑ Rates of teen injuries and health risk behaviors (have increased)
In fact, the primary causes of death in adolescents are:
Accidents (unintentional), homicide and suicide.
These causes are PREVENTABLE. Many health and emotional issues begin in the sensitive adolescent phase. Alcohol-related car accidents, anxiety and depression, substance use, bullying, dating violence, eating disorders, sexually-transmitted diseases and self-destructive behaviors due to low self-esteem are leading causes for concern.
Obesity is considered a disease of wealthy industrialized nations. Lack of physical activity and the prevalence of a high-sugar fast food culture have created an obesity crisis among youth: an alarming 18% of teens are overweight or obese. Obesity-related health risks go beyond physical symptoms; they include associated mental health factors such as social stigma, low self-esteem and depression. The future economic impact of obesity on healthcare is predicted to be astronomical.
Today’s teens may be the first generation that may not live as long as their parents.
Today’s Teenagers are at High Risk of Burnout.
We have a stressed out generation of young people. According to the American Psychological Association (2014), teenagers are – for the first time – just as stressed out as grown-ups. 1 in 5 teens has a diagnosable mental disorder, yet less than half who need mental health services get them.
Antidepressants and ADHD medications are the most frequently used psychotropic medications for adolescents – an alarming sign that teen stress has reached critical mass.
Teenagers’ Brains Are Under Reconstruction.
The last decade of brain science has wonderfully elucidated the amazing flourishing and rewiring of cognitive and emotional pathways that a teenager’s brain undergoes. Adolescence is the second sensitive phase in the life of a human (after the first three years of life). Beyond the hormonal changes of puberty, the teen brain is fine-tuning abilities such as planning, decision-making, creativity, innovation, social connection and societal responsibility. It is a phase where the neurological pathways for emotional and physical health habits are laid down. This is a critical time to guide and coach teens to become their best selves.
Strategies That Work:
Raising healthy and confident youths is critical. It is also our obligation – and it is possible. The Office of Adolescent Health summarizes the state of mental health with the following quote:
“Resilient” adolescents are those who have managed to cope effectively, even in the face of stress and other difficult circumstances, and are poised to enter adulthood with a good chance of positive mental health.A number of factors promote resilience in adolescents—among the most important are caring relationships with adults and an easy-going disposition. Adolescents themselves can use a number of strategies, including exercising regularly, to reduce stress and promote resilience. Schools and communities are also recognizing the importance of resilience and general “emotional intelligence” in adolescents’ lives—a growing number of courses and community programs focus on adolescents’ social-emotional learning and coping skills.”
Our mission is to help youth build resiliency skills and emotional intelligence, and optimize their strategies for coping with stress. At BodiMojo we develop tools that can help move the needle from the left to the right:
