Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
In the News

Youth Today features Special Olympics Data and Fitness Resources Designed Specifically for People with Intellectual Disabilities

Special Olympics Kansas athlete Cort Huffman is pictured smiling and displaying his medal after competing at a Special Olympics event.
Special Olympics Kansas athlete Cort Huffman dropped 30 pounds and reduced his blood pressure by walking and participating in Special Olympics fitness challenges.

In the United States there is an abundance of research concerning obesity, but only recently have researchers begun to investigate obesity in individuals with intellectual disabilities. Through its health programming, Special Olympics has collected and analyzed data on this population to better inform its educational resources around nutrition, fitness, and overall health. Many athletes use these materials to improve their health. As an example, Special Olympics athlete Cort Huffman was able to lose 30 pounds and decrease his blood pressure to a healthy level by participating in Special Olympics fitness challenges and consistently walking a few miles per day.

Read more about Cort’s journey and discover what other fitness resources are helping people with disabilities get in shape in this recent article published by Youth Today.

Some experts have concluded that such health disparities are more related to how people with intellectual disabilities are treated and perceived than with biological factors.

“In general, it’s an invisible population and people don’t even think of kids and adults with intellectual disabilities as being able to be physically active. And we know that’s just not true,” said pediatrician Alicia Bazzano, Chief Health Officer for Special Olympics.

Little by little, researchers from that international sports organization [Special Olympics] and from academia are trying to change attitudes and close the fitness gap by tailoring programs for youth with such intellectual and developmental disabilities as autism, Down syndrome, fetal alcohol syndrome and fragile x syndrome.

Recommended Content

Special Olympics Continues to Deliver Sports, Health and More

Special Olympics Chief Health Officer Dr. Alicia Bazzano and Chief of Sport and Competition Lou Lauria were guests on Sports Byline USA’s internet radio show “Titillating Sports,” hosted by Rick Tittle.
1 Min Read

Special Olympics Chief Health Officer Calls for Vaccine Equity in Boston Herald

Dr. Alicia Bazzano, MD, PH.D, MPH calls for immediate COVID-19 vaccination prioritization of people with intellectual disabilities.
1 Min Read

Special Olympics Chief Health Officer on the challenges coronavirus poses for people with disabilities

“At Special Olympics, when we can’t be in our competitions and our events, we still are everyday connecting with our athletes to make sure they aren’t socially isolated,” said Dr. Alicia Bazzano, Chief Health Officer for Special Olympics during an interview with MSNBC’s Andrea Mitchell Reports.
1 Min Read