Planning for Special Olympics Healthy Athletes: Tobacco Avoidance/Cessation The Special Olympics is a global movement to promote the health, wellness and acceptance of those with intellectual disabilities (ID). Special Olympics acts to raise awareness about the abilities and potential of those with ID through sports (“Special olympics: What we do”, 2016). It also aims to promote healthier lifestyles among the athletes by providing health promotion and screening stations at Special Olympics events. This purpose of this paper is to plan for the Special Olympics health promotion event and to prepare teaching strategies and activities to educate the Special Olympics athletes on the health promotion topic of tobacco avoidance and cessation. This
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According to “Special olympics health promotion” (n.d.), tobacco use by Special Olympics athletes varies significantly; some athletes are exposed to second hand smoke frequently by family and friends, while others may use chewing tobacco or cigarettes and may wish to be provided with education on cessation strategies and tips. “Because cigarette smoking and tobacco use are acquired behaviours – activities that people choose to do – smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society” (“Special olympics health promotion”, n.d., p.27). If Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities choose tobacco avoidance and cessation strategies, this can prevent the occurrence of many health risks and issues that were previously discussed, such as respiratory disease, heart disease, sensory impairments and a shorter life expectancy. If unhealthy behaviours such as using tobacco or being exposed to second-hand smoke continue, these health risks will increase and this will have a negative impact on the Special Olympics athletes overall health and wellness and performance in the sports they
According to “Special olympics health promotion” (n.d.), tobacco use by Special Olympics athletes varies significantly; some athletes are exposed to second hand smoke frequently by family and friends, while others may use chewing tobacco or cigarettes and may wish to be provided with education on cessation strategies and tips. “Because cigarette smoking and tobacco use are acquired behaviours – activities that people choose to do – smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society” (“Special olympics health promotion”, n.d., p.27). If Special Olympics athletes with intellectual disabilities choose tobacco avoidance and cessation strategies, this can prevent the occurrence of many health risks and issues that were previously discussed, such as respiratory disease, heart disease, sensory impairments and a shorter life expectancy. If unhealthy behaviours such as using tobacco or being exposed to second-hand smoke continue, these health risks will increase and this will have a negative impact on the Special Olympics athletes overall health and wellness and performance in the sports they