Is it just me or does anyone else find this claim ridiculous? All we need is a little more golf and childhood obesity and adult obesity problems will be solved. I have nothing against golf. I like sports, I especially love cycling and, due to my husband's love for sports, my list of things I love has grown. I'm even trying to take up tennis. But, I have in fact not taken up golf and low and behold I'm not overweight or out of shape. Is this a little bit elitist to think sponsoring a golf tournament will inspire people to be healthier? I think it is. Golf is an expensive sport, there are public places to play, but there are also a lot of country clubs and expensive clubs like the ones mentioned n the piece. Also, one probably needs lessons to get started as well as golf clubs. This isn't just something easy anyone can pick up. How about promoting something easy that doesn't require a lot of equipment like playing Frisbee in the park, (cost, Frisbee, $15 at Target), or walking (cost, $0). Perhaps part of the problem is that we often see complex and expensive recommendations for improving the nations fitness and nutrition and we need promotion of more simple and easily attainable strategies. Additionally, we need more parks in urban areas, and more healthy grocery stores available to people in urban spaces. We need to look at how environment shapes the way people eat and live. It is not as easy as sponsoring a golf tournament. Is it responsible to promote health, exercise, and nutrition in complex ways that make it seem unattainable, particularly during an economic recession?
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/sports/golf/president-clinton-sees-golf-as-a-path-to-fitness-for-all.html
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