New study shows children and teens aren't doing enough physical activity
British Columbia, January 30: In a recent research shows that the physical inactivity is the fourth leading cause for death worldwide. This is also related to the chronic illness and disability.
There is an estimate where the world could see close to half a billion new cases of major chronic diseases by 2030 if people don't get more active. The regular physical activity helps to prevent and manage many chronic diseases. There are many ways like walking, cycling, and playing sports to be physically active.
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In the recent study, World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends from the age group of 5-17 years-old should atleast be involved in the vigorous physical activity for 60 minutes per day. The physical activities should incorporate vigorous aerobic activities, as well as those that strengthen muscle and bone, at least three days a week. It's also recommended that children spend no more than two hours a day on recreational screen time.
Before the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, physical activity among children and adolescents was already below the recommended levels. In 2016, 81 per cent of adolescents around the world aged 11-17 were considered physically inactive. The study also shows that the girls were less active than boys.
The physical activity recommends the improvement of children's physical and mental health, as well as cognitive outcomes.
The physical activities is now included in global action plans. The COVID-19 pandemic situation has made things worse. The physical activity among children and adolescents has become a global public health priority. For example, using 2016 as baseline, the WHO through its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity targeted a 15 percentage point reduction in prevalence of physical inactivity among adolescents by 2030.
This call to action also implored other international organisations and governments to help track progress in physical activity promotion among children and adolescents.
In response to this global physical inactivity crisis, the international call to action, and the need to systematically collect comparable data, the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance recently published a major study, the first to provide a comprehensive assessment of physical activity among children and adolescents.
Published in October 2022, the study included data that were collected before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were among the 682 experts who assessed 10 common physical activity indicators for children and adolescents around the world.
Our study shows physical activity among children and adolescents has not gotten better. About one-third of children and adolescents globally were sufficiently physically active while a little over one-third met the recreational screen time recommendation for better health and well being.
These findings indicate that a significant proportion of children and adolescent who do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines are at an increased risk of negative outcomes as well as developing related chronic diseases at a much earlier age.
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- With inputs from agencies
