Health Promotion
Health Promotion events are focused on improving the quality and length of life for Special Olympics Wisconsin athletes by providing them with knowledge and tools to make better decisions about their health and well-being.
To encourage healthy behaviors, reduce risky behaviors and improve self-efficacy and self-advocacy, health care professionals provide athletes health screenings (BMI, blood pressure and bone mineral density (BDM) measurements), interactive educational tools and motivational health information.
Health Promotion focuses on the following core areas:
- Nutrition/hydration
- Bone health
- Sun safety and skin care
- Tobacco avoidance and cessation
- Physical activity
Additional health topics include hygiene and sanitation, sleep deprivation, food and water-borne illness, cardiovascular health and night safety.
Impact
Health Promotion events throughout the US have found that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have limited knowledge of proper health practices.
23% children and adolescents are overweight or obese screenings throughout the US have show that a large percentage of Special Olympics athletes have other untreated health concerns.
37% adult athletes are overweight or obese
24% have low bone density
- 58% flexibility problems identified
- 42% have balance problems
- 32% strength problems identified
Clinical Directors
- Leah Ederer, MD
- Linda Peterson, RD, CD, MPH
- Jeston Glish
