Compton students can develop healthy lifestyles at the new Sound Body Sound Mind Fitness Center

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, UCLA Health Sound Body Sound Mind (SBSM), in partnership with L.A. Care Health Plan, joined the Compton community to celebrate the grand opening of the new Sound Body Sound Mind Fitness Center (SMSS) at Bunche Middle School. This modernized facility will provide more than 300 students with access to a dedicated fitness space, helping to promote healthier lifestyles among local youth.

Only 24% of U.S. adults and only 1 in 5 adolescents currently meet the physical activity guidelines. In low-income communities, the barriers are steep, with no safe spaces and no access to physical equipment. Regarding youth, the 2024 U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth reported that overall physical activity levels remain low, with a grade of D-, the same grade issued in 2022.

“At L.A. Care, we believe every student deserves a place to grow, feel confident and develop healthy habits. That’s exactly what this space provides: a place where students can come to exercise, feel good about themselves and take care of their health. This is also about advancing health equity. In communities where access to spaces like this can be limited, it’s important that we show up in the right way and support students by bringing those opportunities directly to them,” said Charlie Robinson, Chief Health Equity Officer, L.A. Care Health Plan.

Rising rates of chronic conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mental health disorders, represent only part of the broader concern. The grand opening of the SMSM Fitness Center at Bunche Middle School is directly addressing the health challenges that too often define life outcomes for kids in under-resourced communities.

Beyond its impact on individual health, physical inactivity places a significant financial strain on personal budgets, healthcare systems and national economies. In 2022, the World Health Organization alsoestimated that physical inactivity costs global healthcare systems billions annually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)says $117 billion in annual U.S. health care costs are related to low physical activity.

“For me, this space is really important because I have asthma, and I’ve always had to work extra hard to build up my cardio and stamina. Sports are important to me, but not being able to run for long periods really affects how I play. Having these cardio machines helps me improve and breathe better,” said Damion Hurd, an eighth grade student from the middle school.

Chronic diseases in childhood are more common in boys, older youths, those from low-income families and racial/ethnic minorities. The most common major chronic diseases of youths in the U.S. are asthma, diabetes mellitus, obesity, hypertension, dental disease, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mental illness, cancers, sickle-cell anemia, cystic fibrosis and a variety of genetic and other birth defects, according to the National Library of Medicine.

“I know a lot of students at my school also have asthma and still want to play sports. Without the right support, it can be hard to keep up. This space gives us a chance to build our strength and not worry as much about falling behind. In my community, there aren’t many places to work out unless you pay for a gym membership. At home, there’s only so much you can do, especially when it comes to cardio,” said Hurd. “This gives us something we didn’t really have before, a place to train and improve. I think this will help students stay healthy and motivated. When you feel stronger, you want to keep going, and that can make a big difference for our future.”

In Latino communities, a major chronic condition affecting youth is diabetes. Among younger adolescents ages 10–14, about 62% have type 1 diabetes, while 38% have type 2. In older teens ages 15–19, the pattern shifts, with 42% having type 1 diabetes and 58% having type 2.

Garry Naylor, the physical education teacher at Bunche Middle School, said that a lot of the students don’t have access to the equipment provided by the new center outside of school. “Having it here allows them to build their cardio, improve their endurance and stay active every day. It’s made a real difference in how they approach physical education,” he said. “For our community, this means a lot. Compton doesn’t always get recognized for the positive things happening here, so it’s meaningful to see this kind of investment in our students. I’m just grateful to UCLA Health, L.A. Care and everyone involved for helping create something that will have a lasting impact.”

He also noted that the new equipment allows him to structure his classes differently, helping address challenges related to obesity and diabetes. “This fitness center gives us a real opportunity to address those issues early, not just through exercise, but by teaching students healthier habits overall. It’s about helping them make better choices, both in how they move and how they take care of themselves,” Naylor said.

Matthew Flesock, Executive Director of UCLA Health SBSM, shared that although not all students have equal access to resources outside of school, nearly every student attends school, making it one of the most effective settings for reaching young people, particularly while their habits are still developing. 

“By creating spaces like this, we’re helping students build healthy routines early in life,” Flesock said. “This is what health equity looks like in action, filling gaps in resources and making sure every student has the opportunity to be active and healthy.”