The Peruvian Institute of Sports presented the book "Peru Measures Itself", a text that gathers the final result of the physical and anthropometric tests to which more than 20,000 teenagers were subjected throughout Peru, from 1 to 4,334 meters above sea level. The study aims to focus on a correct search for new sports values.
The high percentage of obesity and overweight is one of the most worrying results of the study. Dr. Alberto Tejada, national director of the Biomedical Service of the IPD, explained the reason.
"In the world, it is oriented towards a more protein-rich nutrition and our custom is to eat more carbohydrates, to add more potatoes to the broth than meat and protein, in that way our customs vary. In some aspects, it gives us performance at high altitudes because we have a lot of altitude, but this does not necessarily correspond to having greater power in the athlete," said Alberto Tejada in an interview with elcomercio.pe.
In addition, he said that through the results, it was deduced that there is potential for less promoted sports such as handball, gymnastics, among others.
"Peru Measures Itself" has already been delivered to different authorities so that it can be a starting point and achieve better training for athletes. That's why the IPD hopes that the 61 sports federations "take those types of evaluations and use them, not that they remain as a book in the library," Tejada supported.