Press Release from Special Olympics Ireland:
(Tuesday, 2nd October 2012) Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch T.D. attended the launch of Special Olympics Ireland’s research report: “The Development and Evaluation of a Health Promotion Programme for People with Intellectual Disabilities.”
Research has shown that 68% of people with an intellectual disability have a BMI in the overweight/obese category. The aim of this programme was to develop, pilot and evaluate a user-friendly Health Promotion resource pack which could be delivered in community based Special Olympics clubs and Intellectual Disability Service. The report details the findings of the programme, which was initiated in 2008 to help address the lack of health promotion resources for people with an intellectual disability in Ireland.
The Resource Pack was developed in consultation with Special Olympics athletes, volunteers and family members and covers the most pertinent health needs of people with intellectual disabilities including nutrition, physical activity, heart health and bone health.
Statutory and non-statutory organisations collaborated in the development of this resource. Health knowledge and behaviour questionnaires were administered to the 286 participants at start of the pilot in order to establish a baseline and again on completion. The results showed a statistically significant increase in health knowledge and health behaviours, most notably a 48% increase in the numbers of participants meeting the recommended daily intake of five portions of fruit and vegetables.
Qualitative data was gathered through questionnaires and focus groups conducted with participants, volunteers, Services staff and family members. The feedback from the participants indicated that the user-friendly nature of the pack ensured that the participants were more inclined to follow its direction. It was evident that by relating the importance of health to sport, the participants felt more encouraged to make a health change.
Speaking at the project report launch Minster of State Kathleen Lynch T.D. said “I am delighted to hear such positive findings arising from this pilot programme. It is wonderful to hear how much of a difference it has already made to the participants in such a relatively short period of time. If this programme shows us anything it is that health and sport go hand in hand and that positive lifestyle changes are important and beneficial to us all. I would like to congratulate everyone involved and encourage the participants to keep up the good work!”
Dr Nazih Eldin, Head of Health Promotion Dublin North East, Health Service Executive said “The HSE welcomes this initiative which aims at reducing health inequalities for Special Olympics athletes in Ireland. It is great to see that an effective, evidence based and targeted programme was developed in collaboration and cooperation of so many different experts, parents and people with intellectual disability. The HSE is hoping that this model will achieve all its goals and that the benefit will be shared by everyone in Ireland”.
Matt English, CEO Special Olympics Ireland said “The publication of this report is hugely significant for Special Olympics Ireland. We are delighted to see the positive impact that the introduction of this programme has made not only to our athletes who participated in it but also their families. The findings are hugely encouraging to us and once again affirm our promise of enriching and enhancing the lives of people with an intellectual disability in Ireland. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who played a part in making the initial pilot programme such a success, particularly the HSE Dublin North East”.