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The healthy sides of South LA

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"Healthy Sides"

By Daniella Segura

South Los Angeles is often associated with high obesity rates. Though the current obesity rate is among the highest in L.A. County, it has decreased over the past few years. A number of factors have helped to contribute to this decrease, including the fast food moratorium, healthier dining and shopping options, as well as access to exercise classes. Although the South L.A. community may not have as many healthy options as in other parts of L.A., there is what can be called “healthy sides” to South L.A. These “healthy sides” are what are helping to contribute to making South L.A. a healthier community. Click through the links in the slider above to learn more about the facts and the “healthy sides” in the South L.A. community.

The Facts


Food Deserts in South L.A.

In 2011, about 33 percent of adults in South L.A. were obese, which is an estimated 12 percentage points higher than Los Angeles County's overall rate, according to reports by the L.A. County Department of Public Health. These high obesity rates are often attributed to the lack of healthy food options in South L.A., as it is often said to be a food desert. Healthy food options, represented by the green points on the map, in South L.A. are few when compared against the large number of fast food restaurants, represented by red points on the map, in the area.
To see the "healthy sides" sides of South L.A. click the image below.
healthy sides
Formerly Incarcerated Women & Their Families
The number of women in prison has increased by 646 percent between 1980 and 2010. Women are traditionally the backbone of communities and homes, but if an increasing number of women are being incarcerated what happens to the community and their families?
South LA corner stores try to get healthy
South LA has higher rates of obesity and heart disease than other parts of the city and shorter life expectancy. Some small grocery stores hope to change that.
Life in solitary: Advocacy groups push to change security housing units
A Watts family deals with life after a son has entered into the prison system at age 16, been confined to a secured housing unit — the SHU — for six years up until his death. As the California Families Against Solitary Confinement pushes for legislation, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation defends itself, saying changes have been in the works for years.