HEALTH PROMOTION

Special Olympics Health Promotion –
an initiative designed to improve the overall image and health status of the Special Olympics athlete. Using interactive educational tools and distributing motivational information, the program encourages athletes to improve their nutrition, stay physically active and modify lifestyles to lower disease risk.

Health Promotion strives to heighten awareness and reinforce the health education athletes require to improve and maintain an enhanced level of wellness and self care. Athletes are offered body mass index (BMI) measurements, guides for healthy eating and lifestyle choices, fun ways to increase physical fitness, as well as information about tobacco avoidance, sun safety and skin care.

There have been data and increasing awareness of the decline in physical activity and the increase in obesity in America and many other countries. Health screenings conducted during the 1999 and 2001 World Special Olympics Games showed that many of the athletes were overweight or obese. These trends are directly linked with higher rates of diabetes and heart disease. Surveys of Special Olympics coaches (from all over the world) report a consensus that the athletes are in need of fitness training above and beyond what they receive during their sports practices.

Health Promotion Objectives:

• To improve long-term health outcomes for Special Olympics athletes by giving them the information, encouragement, and facilities they need to sustain physical fitness and healthy lifestyle choices.
• To improve the quality of life and self-image of athletes.
• To provide the athletes the means by which they can work to better their own health and wellbeing.
• To allow more people with intellectual disabilities [mental retardation] to participate in Special Olympics and to retain those athletes who are currently active.

Health Promotion Clinical Director
Dr. Chris Glendenning
Oklahoma State University
11513 S. Mulberry Ct.
Jenks Oklahoma 74037
918/296-5541
glenden@osu-com.okstate.edu