Transcript MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE HEALTH & HAPPINESS OF NJ FAMILIES Our Mission Get FIT is dedicated to promoting full, happy, healthy, fit lives.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE
HEALTH & HAPPINESS OF NJ
FAMILIES
Our Mission
Get FIT is dedicated to promoting full, happy, healthy,
fit lives for people with intellectual/developmental
disabilities and their caregivers.
Fitness-Integration-Training
Why Get FIT?
 Childhood obesity issue in NJ (ranked 27)
 Obesity rates for children with disabilities are 38%
higher than for children without
Why Get FIT?
 Obesity rates for adults with disabilities are 58% higher
than for adults without
 Lack of accessibility
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Physical/attitudinal barriers
Stigma/stereotypes
Chronic lack of opportunity
But, WHY?
 Differences in body composition (muscle mass vs. fat mass)
 Lack of physical activity
 Medications that increase appetite
 Parents may be over-permissive or over-restrictive regarding
food and exercise
 Parents may be afraid to allow their child to do things for
him/herself because of seizures, asthma etc.
 Parents may be confused about how and when to set limits for a
child with physical or mental disabilities
 U.S. lifestyle—media messages telling us to increase
consumption of calorie dense foods, labor saving devices
Less of this…
More of this…
Did you know!?!?
 Children with special needs may have fewer
opportunities for physical activity because of a
need for constant supervision or for adaptive
equipment.
 20% of children 10 through 17 years of age who
have special health care needs are obese
compared with 15% of children of the same
ages without special health care needs.
 Children who walk with braces and crutches or
walkers actually burn more calories than
children without during actual periods of
walking.
It’s more than just a weight issue
 Overweight children are more
likely to be teased and to be
targets of bullies.
 As BMI in children with
developmental disabilities
rises, quality of life decreases
 Overweight may lower self
esteem by interfering with
independence.
Where can you Get FIT?
Camp
YMCA
Private
Gym
Home
School
Get FIT @ Gym
Get FIT @ Gym
Get FIT @ YMCA
Get FIT @ School
Get FIT @ Camp
Get FIT @ Camp
Get FIT @ Home
Get FIT @ Home
The Family Resource FOOD Network
Train-the-Trainer- Statewide
Where would you like to Get FIT?
Epilepsy and Exercise- Risks
 Consult with your doctor/neurologist first, and discuss
seizure precipitants
 If exercise is identified as a seizure precipitant then an
exercise program can be designed that will allow the
person to exercise safely and possibly even avoid the factor
that exacerbates seizures
Epilepsy and Exercise- Benefits
 The benefits usually outweigh the risks, but everyone
should consult their doctor first
 Exercise promotes stress reduction, and has positive
effects on blood pressure, blood sugar and bone
health
 Aerobic exercise often reduces seizure frequency,
relieves depression, reduces social isolation, and
promotes cardiac and general health.
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Walking, jogging, running (indoor, grass, or supervised track)
Athletes with Epilepsy
Jason Snelling- Falcons
Alan Faneca- Steelers
Get FIT Spotlight
 12 week Get FIT @ Home program in
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Texas
Sarah lost 3 inches off her waist & 2
inches off her hips
Less frequency of seizures
Increased self confidence
Made new friends
Strategies of Success
 Discuss benefits and guidelines for exercise
1.
Appropriate clothing and shoes for exercising
2.
The advantages of warm-ups and stretching
3.
The benefits of exercise/physical activity
4.
Appropriate breathing when exercising
5.
The advantages/benefits of cool-downs
6.
The advantages/benefits of a balanced diet
Strategies of Success
Make it fun
 Supervised setting
 Start slow, increase intensity over a period of time
 Low to the ground activities
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Recumbent bike vs. Treadmill
 Weight machines Vs. Free weights
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Include all members of the family
For More Information
WWW.GETFITNJ.ORG
WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/GETFITNJ
Adeola Sonaike
[email protected]
609-392-4900