WHO warns: 1 in 4 adolescents worldwide did not have a single active day in the past week, and girls are the most affected
That is about 240 million young people aged 11 to 17 who did not get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day. The new WHO report, published in The Lancet Global Health, shows almost no progress in 15 years.
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One in four adolescents worldwide did not get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on any day of the previous week. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported this on Wednesday, November 4, estimating the figure at about 240 million young people aged 11 to 17.
And the problem is not new.
What the report found
The study, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, drew on 389 population-based surveys from 140 countries and territories, covering more than 3.2 million adolescents. According to WHO, adolescents were active on average just 2.7 days a week, and only 14% said they were active enough on all seven days.
Most striking, physical activity levels have remained virtually unchanged over the past 15 years. "For 15 years, the world has made almost no progress in getting young people moving, and girls are being left furthest behind," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The differences between countries are huge: in some, just 4% of adolescents had no active days; in others, the figure exceeded 40%.
Girls fall furthest behind
Twenty-eight percent of girls had no active days, compared with 22% of boys. Only 11% of girls were active every day, compared with 17% of boys. According to WHO, girls were less active than boys in almost every country and every WHO region.
There is no single explanation. WHO points to transport, access to safe public spaces, opportunities for safe walking and cycling, school environments, affordability, social norms and, increasingly, screen-based lifestyles.
Why it matters and what can be done
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers, WHO notes, and habits formed in adolescence tend to stay with people into adulthood.
"The answer is not to tell adolescents to try harder. It is to build schools, streets and communities where moving, playing and being active is safe, easy and normal," Tedros said. The organization is calling for more physical activity in schools, safe walking and cycling routes, and action to remove the barriers girls face.
Families can help too. WHO recommends that this age group get an average of 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous activity: brisk walking, dancing, playing soccer, cycling or climbing stairs all count. Walking to school when it is safe, finding a sport they enjoy or getting moving as a family are simple steps.
If your child has a health condition or you are unsure what kind of exercise is right, talk to your doctor or pediatrician before starting.
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Sources
For information only. It does not replace advice from a health professional. Medical disclaimer