Childhood Inactivity, Global Epidemic

Childhood Inactivity, Global Epidemic

Four in five 11- to 17-year-olds around the world are not getting enough physical exercise, according to the first such study.

The study analyses “global trends of insufficient physical activity among adolescents” and urges immediate action to increase physical activity levels in girls and boys aged 11 to 17 years old.

The World Health Organization says adolescent health is being damaged; as well as causing impediments to brain development and social skills.

Researchers from the World Health Organization who produced the study, find that “more than 80% of school-aged children globally do not meet current recommendations of at least one hour of physical activity per day.” That includes 85% of girls and 78% of boys.

The study, "which is based on data reported by 1.6 million 11 to 17-year-old students" – "finds that across all 146 countries studied between 2001-2016" girls were less active than boys in all but four countries: Tonga, Samoa, Afghanistan and Zambia.

In the global rankings, Asian teens in South Korea, the Philippines and Cambodia rank among the world's most inactive, with over 90% of young people exercising below these recommendations, and least likely to engage in: running, cycling, swimming, soccer or gymnastics.

Meanwhile, Albania ranks sixth on the list with the most active children in the world.

In terms of gender, Albanian girls are less active than boys, with a difference of more than 10 percent.

Meanwhile, the most active children can be found in Bangladesh, Slovakia, Ireland and the United States.

“Some countries have made efforts to improve physical activity levels, but the use of technology and games in the country have increased, and this is undermining efforts,” the study's lead author said on Friday.

The new WHO-led recommends that adolescents meet the “60-minute goal of day-to-day physical activity by going to school on foot or by bike”, but policymakers are being encouraged, as well, to provide safer sporting environments and roads.

Përktheu: Paola Pupla

EMISIONET