Canadians with intellectual and physical disabilities face staggering adverse health conditions, leading to increased risk of chronic disease. Nutrition education is critical to reducing the risk of chronic disease. Sobeys has been a long-term advocate for nutrition education and was inspired to co-create the Sobeys Healthy Athlete resources with Jays Care to support Challenger Baseball athletes. Sobeys Health Athlete resources enhance outcomes for children and youth living with disabilities on the field, in the classroom and in their homes in the following ways:
- Sobeys Healthy Athlete Clinics: Nutrition education is critical to reducing the risk of chronic disease. Sobeys Healthy Athlete Clinics are a series 1.5 hour educational workshops designed to teach Challenger Baseball athletes essential skills required to make healthy food choices regularly. Athletes in grades K-12 who participate in Challenger Baseball at their school are able to participate in these clinics. Each clinic focuses on the following four overarching goals: connection (working with peers to build knowledge of healthy eating), love of self (learning all the ways nutrition fuels a strong, healthy body), independence (having the power to choose what food to eat) and courage (developing the courage to try new, healthy foods).
- Sobeys Healthy Athlete Monthly Challenges: At Jays Care Foundation, we believe in the importance of promoting and practicing physical and nutritional health along with social and emotional well-being among our athletes. Monthly Challenges provide the opportunity for educators and their athletes to connect with their entire school through healthy habits! The 14th of each month is designated as Sobeys Healthy Athlete Day! There are over 40 Sobeys Healthy Athlete monthly challenges to choose from, and each one aims to inspire athletes and educators alike to learn about what it means to be a healthy athlete!
- Healthy Athlete goal setting resources: Building meaningful connections and learning through play are two key features of the Sobeys Healthy Athlete program within Challenger Baseball. In schools, we strive to help empower educators and athletes to set weekly, monthly, and yearly Healthy Athlete goals they can work towards as a team and individually. These resources help to keep their goals front-facing, and are an incredible tracking and incentive resource for the classroom.