Comparison of Physical Activity and BMI between Adult Chinese and U.S. Special Olympic Athletes

Research has shown that adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) are more obese and less active than their counterparts without ID. However, the existing knowledge is primarily based on western samples from North American and European countries, while little is known about people with ID residing in other countries. China has the largest population in the world and relatively little is known about Chinese citizens with ID. Special Olympics International (SOI) is the largest service provider to people with ID in the world, and organizes recreational and competitive sports programs. Special Olympics International also holds onsite health screening programs called Healthy Athletes (HA). China has embraced SOI, which has provided access to those with ID in that country. As such, it is of interest to compare certain health-related variables in Chinese and American individuals with ID. The proposed study is a secondary analysis of Body Mass Index (BMI) and self-reported physical activity (SRPA) data collected from Healthy Athletes screenings during the 2006 USA National Games and 2007 Shanghai World Games. The process of data collection/preparation and the rationale behind data selection and statistical procedures will be described. Sample characteristics (size, gender, age, mean and in-group variance of BMI etc.) and results of multiple regression analyses will be presented. Population, economic and public health information, as well as the latest statistics on ID and SOI operations will be used to interpret findings.