INVESTIGATIVE SURVEY ON THE SPORTS AND DIETARY HABITS OF THE INMATES OF THE SALERNO PRISON

Abstract

The primary objective of this project is to redefine the concept of prison from being solely a place of punishment to a rehabilitative environment focused on training individuals who can contribute to society and are less likely to reoffend. As reported in the scientific background, few studies have investigated the nutritional status of the prison population, and no study has examined body composition, sleep quality, and cardio-metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis. Given the growing number of prisoners worldwide and the costs associated with their care, a particular emphasis on factors that could contribute to their health improvement through proper nutrition and increased physical activity levels, as well as a thorough nutritional visit based on the assessment of body composition and individual nutritional status, can be not only economically advantageous but also an ethically relevant public health measure. Ensuring proper nutrition should indeed be an indispensable prerequisite for every prisoner, in accordance with the 2015 United Nations Economic and Social Council's Mandela Rules.