Young Latinas face persistent disparities in physical activity levels, with even lower rates among girls from lower-income and less-acculturated backgrounds. These rates decline further during adolescence, due to the mental, biological, and social changes of puberty, making preadolescence a key time to intervene.

Conmigo is a 10-week mother-daughter health and physical activity intervention for preadolescent Latinas (girls aged 8-11) and their moms. Dyads participate in weekly sessions that include culturally tailored didactic presentations, discussions, and interactive activities exploring topics such as PA, nutrition, family communication, parenting, social media, puberty, and more. Each session includes 30 minutes of group exercise, incorporating both strength training and cardiovascular exercises that are age appropriate and adaptable for all fitness levels. Sessions also include interactive mom and daughter activities and group discussions designed to strengthen communication, build skills, and foster connection. On a weekly basis, dyads work together to t set physical activity goals, practice new strategies, and support one another in completing activities at home and in their community..  Participants have shared that the program not only helped them to be more active, it also strengthened their mother-daughter bond.

An R21 study (R21HD100776) from 2020-2022 tested the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the intervention as delivered online via Zoom, followed by an in-person pilot testing the feasibility and outcomes of the intervention delivered in partnership with schools and the YMCA. Our current Hybrid Type I Effectiveness-Implementation trial (1R01CA292783) is a cluster randomized trial of 18 schools testing the impact of the YMCA-led intervention compared to an equivalent program with a focus on Healthy Eating. We are excited to partner with diverse community partners throughout San Diego County to support the wellbeing of over 200 girls and their families.

Associated Funding:

  • NIMHD R21HD100776 (2020-2022)
  • SDSU Seed Funding for COVID-19 interviews
  • Chula Vista Community Foundation (2023-2024)
  • NCI 1R01CA292783 (2024-2029)
Publications
  • Formagini, T., Behar, A., Schneider, J., Torres, M., Telles, V. M., Marquez, B., Roesch, S., Ayala, G. X., Baranowski, T., Arredondo, E. (2025). The Association Between Father Support and Daughter Physical Activity: Insights from a Study Involving U.S. Latina Pre-Teens. American Journal of Health Promotion, 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/08901171251315022
  • Arredondo, E.M., Schneider, J., Torres, M., Telles, V., Butte, K., Lafuente, O., Formagini, T., Cisneroz, A., Roesch, S., Baranowski, T., & Ayala, G.X. (under review). Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Impact of an Online Latina Mother-Daughter Physical Activity Intervention.
  • Arredondo, E.M., Schneider, J., Torres-Ruiz, M., Telles, V., Thralls-Butte, K., West, M., Maldonado, M., Gallagher, K., Roesch, S., Ayala, G.X, & Baranowski, T. 2023. Rationale and design of a pilot randomized controlled trial to increase moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in preadolescent Latina girls and their mothers. Contemporary Clinical Trials
Presentations
  • Gomez, E.*, Schneider, J., Chagolla, D., Gomez, I., Arredondo, E. (2025, June 28). Evaluation of YMCA’s training to deliver a school-based physical activity program for Latina mothers and daughters. 2026 Healthy LifeStars Conference.
  • Cisneroz, A., Schneider, J., De La Cruz Del Rosario, L., & Arredondo, E. M. (2024, June 12). Acculturation, screen media use, and body appreciation among Latina mothers and daughters: A mixed-methods study on intergenerational influences of body appreciation. Appearance Matters 10, Centre for Appearance Research, Bristol, England, UK.
  • Quintana, M.*, Schneider, J., Cisneroz, A.*, Ayala, G.X., Arredondo, E.M. (2025, Mar 26-29). The Role of Mothers in Preadolescent Latinas Healthy Eating Behaviors: A Qualitative Exploration. Poster presented at Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
  • Schneider, J., St. George-Mijares, S., Leite, R., Larsen, B., Arredondo, E.M. (2025, March 28). Lessons learned using technology to engage Latinx youth and adolescents in obesity prevention and health promotion interventions. Panel presented at Society of Behavioral Medicine. San Francisco, CA.
  • Arredondo, E.M., Reed, M., Marquez, B. (2025, March 28). Mother-daughter interventions promoting healthy weight in diverse communities: Targeting family dynamics across the lifespan. Panel presented at Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA. March 2025.
  • Cisneroz, A., Schneider, J., Garcia, J., Quintana, M., Gomez, M., & Arredondo, E. M. (2025, March 25). Finding joy in movement: Associations between body appreciation, physical activity enjoyment, and physical activity levels among preadolescent Latinas. Society of Behavioral Medicine, San Francisco, CA.
  • Cisneroz, A.*, Schneider, J., Quintana, M.*, Gomez, M.*, & Arredondo, E. M. (2025, February 28). Impact of a Latina mother-daughter physical activity program on girls’ physical activity and body appreciation: Findings from a single-arm pilot study. SDSU Student Symposium, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
  • Quintana, M., Schneider, J., Cisneroz, A., Arredondo, E.M. (2025, February 28). The impacts of a mother-daughter health program on Latina mothers’ and daughters’ social-emotional behaviors: Findings from a single-arm pilot study. Oral presentation presented at SDSU Student Symposium, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
  • Torres-Ruiz M, Arredondo EM (2022). Social Determinants of Mental Health Outcomes. Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists, Graduate Symposium. Anaheim, CA.  
  • Torres-Ruiz M, Arredondo EM (2022). Assessing COVID-19 Trauma, Anxiety, and Moderators of Depression in Pre- Adolescent Girls and Mothers from San Diego County, CA. Society of Behavioral Medicine.
  • Osorio L, Schneider J, Arredondo E (2022). What factors affect program attendance among Latina mothers and preadolescent daughters? San Diego State University Student Research Symposium. San Diego, CA.
  • Aso M, Schneider J, Arredondo E (2022). Comparing the role of mothers’ and fathers’ parenting practices on Latina daughters’ physical activity. San Diego State University Student Research Symposium. San Diego, CA.
  • Muniz S, Schneider J, Arredondo E (2023). Attendance between online & in person.  San Diego State University Student Symposium. San Diego, CA.
  • Formagini, T., Behar, A., Schneider, J., Torres, M., Telles, V. M., Marquez, B., Roesch, S., Ayala, G. X., Baranowski, T., Arredondo, E. Father Support and Daughter Physical Activity: Insights from a Study of Latina Pre-Teens. Poster accepted to 2024 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA; March 13–16, 2024.
  • Cisneroz, A., Schneider, J., De La Cruz Del Rosario, L., Carbajal, M., Quintana, M., & Arredondo, E. (2024, March 1). The association between acculturation, screen media use, and body appreciation among preadolescent Latinas: A mixed methods study. Poster presentation at SDSU Student Symposium, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. 
  • Quintana, M., Schneider, J., & Arredondo, E.M. (2024, March 1).  The Role of Mothers in Preadolescent Latinas Healthy Eating Behaviors. Poster presented at SDSU Student Symposium, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
  • Carbajal, M. (2024, March 1). Effects of a Latina mother-daughter physical activity program on mother-daughter relationships program impact on mother-daughter relationship. Poster presented at SDSU Student Symposium, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
  • Schneider, J.,Torres, M.; Telles, V., Lafuente, O., Butte, K., Formagini, T, Ayala, G.X., Roesch, S., Baranowski, T., & Arredondo, E. (2024). Feasibility, Acceptability, and Preliminary Impact of an Online Latina Mother-Daughter PA intervention. Poster accepted to 2024 Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA; March 13–16, 2024.
  • Torres-Ruiz, M., Lopez I., Arredondo, E. (2024).. unveiling the strengths and strains: A family Stress Theory Exploration of COVID-19 stressors among Latina mothers. Poster presented at the Society of Behavioral Medicine Annual Meeting and Scientific Sessions, Philadelphia, PA: March 13-16.
  • Cisneroz, A. Schneider, J., Arredondo, E. (April, 2024). Associations Between Acculturation,  Screen Media Use, Body Appreciation, and Eating Disturbances Among Preadolescent Latinas: A Mixed-methods Study. Poster presented at the Western Psychological Association Conference.
Thesis & Capstone Projects
  • White, Dominique. Virtual mother-daughter intervention needs assessment: Interviews with school staff. Capstone project for SDSU MPH program (Health Promotion & Behavioral Science). April 2021.
  • Shalabi, Sophia. Adaptation of Conmigo intervention to be conducted virtually. Capstone project for SDSU online MPH program. January 2021.
  • West, Michelle. Process evaluation of Conmigo program using REAIM. Capstone project for SDSU MPH program. April 2022.
  • Maldonado, Miriam. Feasibility and Acceptability of online mother-daughter physical activity intervention for Latina preadolescents. Capstone project for SDSU MPH program. April 2022.
  • Lara, Jackie. Program plan for train-the-trainer curriculum to implement Conmigo with the YMCA. Capstone project for SDSU online MPH program. 2022.
  • Jara, Valeria. Evaluation of Conmigo’s capacity for implementation and sustainability: interviews with YMCA stakeholders. Capstone project for SDSU online MPH program (Health Management and Policy). April 2023.
  • Escobedo, Leslie. Program Evaluation: Assessing the Mental Health Outcomes of preadolescent Latinas participating in a mother-daughter physical activity program. Capstone project for SDSU MPH program (Health Promotion & Behavioral Science). April 2023.
  • Velasco, Katherine. U.S. Latina/Hispanic mothers’ health beliefs related to COVID-19 vaccination for their daughters. Manuscript for SDSU MPH program. April 2023