Primary prevention of childhood obesity and deviant behavior: the educational role of sport

The value of sport as a moment of socialization and training for young people does not actively involve educational institutions and families yet, despite being one of the most effective primary prevention way against childhood and teen obesity. This work - starting from epidemiological data describing the alarming situation of childhood obesity and from the statistic data about physical exercise among young people, will try to define the limitations of the current social policies which do not involve yet young population in an educational process of a safe lifestyle. A proper nutrition and an health-enhancing physical and sporting activity could mitigate this problem a lot, but in order to realize it, a new culture and new educational models intended as a divided line and as a suggestion of a strong focus on individual and social well-being are needed. Sport, as an educational proposal, could help the dissemination of a recreational-motoric culture, able to achieve two objectives: to safeguard the psycho-physical health and to rescue young people from marginalization, before the rising of a deviant behavior.