This study aimed to examine changes in health awareness and behavior among participants of a community-led health promotion program, "InBody Challenge 2024", conducted in Nayoro City, Hokkaido. A total of 108 adult residents participated in the program, and body composition measurements were taken before and after the intervention using the InBody470 device. Participants also voluntarily engaged in lifestyle improvements such as increased physical activity and dietary modifications according to their individual needs.

  At the conclusion of the program, a structured questionnaire—including both multiple-choice and open-ended items—was administered to evaluate participants’ experiences and perceived changes. Results showed that over 80% of participants reported enhanced health awareness, and nearly all expressed a desire to maintain their health-related efforts beyond the program. Reported behavioral changes included increased awareness of weight and fat management, improved dietary habits, and the establishment of regular exercise routines, suggesting overall lifestyle improvements. A key strength of the program was its use of visualized physical data, which appeared to reinforce intrinsic motivation through enhanced self-efficacy.

  Gender-based analysis revealed greater improvements among male participants, while a relatively higher proportion of female participants reported little or no improvement, indicating the need for more gender-sensitive support strategies. Additionally, open-ended responses highlighted the value of personalized feedback and interest in digital tools such as mobile health applications.

  These findings suggest that community-based programs integrating measurement feedback, peer support, and tailored interventions can effectively promote sustainable health behavior change.

  This study examined the current status of and challenges facing the adoption of “Unified Sports^®,” an initiative by Special Olympics Nippon, a sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, that brings together participants with and without intellectual disabilities through inclusive sporting activities.

  An online survey was distributed to Special Olympics Nippon district organizations across all 47 Japanese prefectures, yielding responses from 38 districts. The findings showed that, whereas 19 districts had adopted Unified Sports^® programs, another 19 districts had yet to do so, though some were in the planning stages of implementation. A comparative analysis (t-test) of attitudes toward Unified Sports^® between districts that had adopted the initiative versus those that had not showed significantly higher scores among the latter group for three key concerns: uncertainty about which model to adopt, insufficient local understanding, and a lack of implementation capacity. The existence of three distinct models for Unified Sports^® may present a barrier to adoption, highlighting the need for initiatives that will foster accurate understanding and support future expansion.

  Moreover, careful consideration must be given to whether participants, both those with and without intellectual disabilities, truly desire this new and inclusive approach to sports. This consideration is particularly important given that intellectual disabilities may entail inherent constraints on individuals’ ability to recognize and express their sporting demands. There is a need for ongoing activities and research that maintain awareness of these considerations.