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Some of the participants at the event organised by the RFEG.
Golf and paediatrics join forces to crack down on childhood obesity

Golf and paediatrics join forces to crack down on childhood obesity

Doctors have found that playing golf has many health benefits for everyone, especially children

ALBERTO GÓMEZ

Friday, 14 December 2018, 14:05

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At a recent event organised by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation (RFEG), the effects that sport has on health, focusing mainly on children, were brought forward by a number of specialists.

The federation called for doctors and physiotherapists to encourage children to play golf, as it is "healthy as well as fun", explains the marketing director of RFEG, Xavi Guibelade.

The medical director of the Golf es Salud programme, nephrologist José Antonio García Donaire, explained that "sport equals longevity" and there are many issues that can arise if you do not keep active and play sport regularly.

He believes that it is highly beneficial to "start as a child because practicing a sport early on can even change things we have been unlucky to get from a genetic point of view".

Aiding recovery

Dr Luis Madero, a member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine and head of the Oncohaematology department of the Niño Jesús Hospital in Madrid, also emphasised that the practice of golf and indeed sports in general, is an excellent way to aid recovery after medical procedures.

Dr Miguel Ángel Monroy, a paediatrician at the Reina Victoria health centre in Madrid and lecturer in Medicine and Health Sciences, explained that children need to play sports to live a healthy and balanced life. It is not only diet that is important, but it is also fundamental that they are doing enough physical activity.

Avoiding future problems

"It is not necessary for a child to be a the top level of a sport to participate and reap the benefits. It must be encouraged to avoid health problems in the future." he adds.

Dr Begoña Arias Novas, head of the paediatrics department of Zarzuela University Hospital and a member of the Paediatrics Society of Madrid and Castilla La Mancha, says that "many problems come from a lack of physical activity. Obesity is a huge problem in the world today and taking up a sport such as golf can be very good for children."

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