UEFA-backed anti-obesity study acclaimed in Portugal
Thursday, May 21, 2015
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A UEFA Research Grant Programme-backed investigation into how football can help combat childhood obesity has received a state award for good practice in Portugal.
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A project selected by the UEFA Research Grant Programme has been recognised with an award for good practice by the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal.
The project by the Faculty of Sport of the University of Porto – which was was also supported by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) – investigated football as a novel therapeutic approach to preventing childhood obesity, and received the accolade at the 'We Feel Sport' congress in Maia.
The project inaugurated a recreational football programme, involving obese children between the age of eight and 12. They would train for at least an hour, three times a week over a six-month period in a highly motivating environment, resulting in an enhanced body composition and improved cardio-metabolic health, cardio-respiratory fitness and psychological well-being.
"Football is a popular sport at all ages and is relatively inexpensive and accessible," said André Seabra, the main investigator behind the programme. "It is important to emphasise the significance and impact of these findings, particularly the suggestion that as a highly popular, social and culturally meaningful sport, football is a highly effective non-pharmacological strategy for the prevention and treatment of this serious public health problem."