Get FIT Texas
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- Impact
- Helped over 1,250 people be more active and live healthier lifestyles, improving key markers for disease prevention
- 80% had an improved BMI score
- 90% of participants scored higher on their quality of life tests
- Helped over 1,250 people be more active and live healthier lifestyles, improving key markers for disease prevention
Statewide Need
Medical management alone isn’t effective in meeting the health and wellness needs of many people with developmental disabilities (DD). People with DD are more likely to have health issues including obesity and many are less likely to engage in physical leisure activities. A large number of people with DD live near the poverty level, so health club memberships may be cost-prohibitive. People with DD more often rely on public health care, and the growing cost of long-term care has restricted the access and quality of services. Regular exercise is imperative and as publicly funded healthcare costs continue to grow, public systems like Medicaid are increasingly seeking cost-containment strategies.Project Goal
Establish a fitness and healthy lifestyle program for individuals with DD and epilepsy and their caregivers in rural communities of Texas.Project Summary
Get FIT Texas (GFT) started with the idea of improving the lives of individuals with disabilities through fitness and healthy lifestyle coaching. That first year, GFT serviced 90 participants in total between Houston and San Antonio with only two fitness coaches. By the fifth year of the grant, GFT serviced roughly 400 participants. GFT has helped over 1,250 people with DD get more active and live healthier lifestyles, improving key markers for disease prevention.Some of the services provided include health coaching, group fitness, one-on-one fitness, yoga, water aerobics, nutrition education, and preventative health screening. The outcomes of the program were consistent, and participants showed improvement in strength, flexibility, health habits, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, and blood pressure. Not only did they improve their physical health, but 90% of participants scored higher on their quality of life tests, showing the impact fitness can have on improving mental health and increasing self-esteem.
[/two_third][one_third_last]Project Period
Apr 2012 – Mar 2017Contact
2401 Fountain View Drive
Suite 900
Houston, TX 77057
713-789-6295
WebsiteGeographic Reach
Rural Counties Surrounding Houston and San Antonio
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