The “Rugby 06 Health Prevention” project has just been launched. Its goal is to prevent and limit the risks of overweight and obesity among teenagers in rugby schools. This initiative is supported by the Dรฉpartemental Rugby Committee 06.
Anthony Lazzaro, a graduate of the UFR STAPS in Nice, is the originator of this project. For him, obesity or being overweight among teenagers is “a major health issue.” Indeed, obesity is becoming increasingly prevalent among young people. In the age group of 3 to 17 years, 18% are overweight among them, and 3.5% are obese.
“Through this project, the aim is to show that young athletes can engage in sports while maintaining good health,” says Anthony Lazzaro. Rugby is a sport where all body types are welcome. However, being overweight and obesity can have a detrimental impact on health. “We also want to prove that just because they are overweight and rugby welcomes them, it doesn’t mean we are not attentive to the youth and their health,” admits the former STAPS student.
The Dรฉpartemental Rugby Committee 06 (CDR 06) supports the project and plans to provide the necessary resources. Thus, it will focus on the health of 600 young rugby players, in the under-12 and under-14 categories, of whom one in three is overweight or even obese.
In addition to CDR 06, work will be carried out with the Center for Study and Research on Obesity in Nice. “There will be support for overweight children who wish it, enabling them to gradually resume regular physical activity while paying attention to their health,” explains Anthony Lazzaro. This all involves nutritional prevention and the provision of suitable physical activities.
It should be noted that this project is experimental and aims to establish itself as a long-term initiative.
