I Can Do It, You Can Do It (v. 2.0): A Health Promotion Mentoring Program for Youth with Disabilities

“I Can Do It, You Can Do It” is a national health promotion mentoring program with the goal of increasing physical activity and improved nutrition behaviors of youth with disabilities. This paper presents the organization, expansion, administration, and evaluation of a three-year “I Can Do It, You Can Do It” program in nine locations across the United States funded by the Division of Nutrition Research Coordination (DNRC) of the National Institutes of Health and the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. One of the strengths of the “I Can Do It, You Can Do It” program is that the program is designed to be person-centered and community-based by leveraging community resources also focusing on health promotion initiatives. Findings following analysis of physical activity and nutrition data of more than 800 youth with disabilities (mentees) who participated in at least two-consecutive eight-week waves of physical activity and nutrition mentoring show significant improvements in duration of physical activity and healthy eating regardless of age, gender, or disability. Likewise mentor skills and knowledge for an equal number of mentors show significant improvement over time. Based upon preliminary evidence-based data collected during the course of the program , three faculty-student research projects were initiated to improve mentoring skills and behaviors and improve the opportunity for increasing physical activity and improve nutrition behaviors. Results from each of the three research projects are also presented. Recommendations for increasing the amount and type of physical activity and nutrition behaviors of youth with disabilities are made.