Diabetes

New research led by the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University and published in Diabetic Medicine has revealed that participation in Special Olympics programming is associated with a significantly lower risk of diabetes among adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The study, led by Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University, examined the diabetes status of more than 35,000 young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Ontario from 1995 to 2015.

The new long-term population level research utilizes statistical modeling of Special Olympics registration data and administrative health records held at ICES. Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities were categorized into participants and non-participants of Special Olympics. Diabetes diagnosis rates among these groups were calculated and compared over the 20-year period, revealing significant results:

This study finds a 15% rate reduction in diabetes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who participate in Special Olympics, compared to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who do not participate, over a period of up to 20 years.

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have higher rates of diabetes compared to the general population.

Special Olympics is a relatively low-cost intervention (compared to the cost of treating diabetes), and our results indicate a significant health-promoting effect to participation.

Age, sex, community (rural vs urban), affluence, and morbidity of individuals did not influence the outcome of the study.

Over the 20-year period, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who do not participate in Special Olympics had a rate of diabetes of 11.01 per 1000 person years compared to for Special Olympics participants. 8.41 per 1,000 person years for Special Olympics participants.

This is the first time that we have very strong, population-level evidence for a significant physical health benefit of participating in Special Olympics for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This ground-breaking study strongly demonstrates that engagement in Special Olympics goes beyond mere recreation. It provides compelling evidence that participation fosters considerable health improvements, reinforcing the notion that such inclusive sports programs are vital for the holistic well-being of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The health advantages observed underscore the importance of supporting and expanding access to these programs. Our findings advocate for the broader adoption of Special Olympics as a critical component of public health strategies aimed at improving the quality of life for this population.

Dr. Meghann Lloyd, Lead Author and Researcher with the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University.

Research shows lower levels of physical activity as a primary reason why young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at a higher risk of developing diabetes compared to their peers without intellectual and developmental disabilities. Special Olympics offers a unique opportunity for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to enhance their physical activity levels while also gaining access to Special Olympics Canada’s various health screenings and educational resources, while fostering social connections in an inclusive community. By comparing the diabetes rates among Special Olympics participants with those who did not participate, the research found that the risk of diabetes was significantly lower among participants.