WHO Warns One in Four Adolescents Worldwide Had No Active Days in the Past Week
New WHO global estimates reveal that approximately 240 million adolescents aged 11–17 did not achieve 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the previous week, highlighting persistent inactivity and a widening concern over girls' opportunities to stay active.
New WHO global estimates reveal that approximately 240 million adolescents aged 11 - 17 did not achieve 60 minutes of physical activity on any day during the previous week, highlighting persistent inactivity and a widening concern over girls' opportunities to stay active.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released new global estimates showing that one in four adolescents worldwide reported no days with at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the previous week.
This represents approximately 240 million young people aged 11 - 17, raising concerns about insufficient physical activity and its potential long-term consequences for public health.
According to the findings, adolescents reported meeting the 60-minute activity threshold on an average of just 2.7 days per week. Only 14% reported achieving this level of activity on all seven days.
The research also indicates that global adolescent physical activity patterns have remained largely unchanged over the past 15 years, suggesting limited progress in creating environments that encourage young people to lead active lifestyles.
Global Adolescent Physical Activity Shows Little Progress in 15 Years
The new study, published in The Lancet Global Health, analyzed data from 389 population-based surveys conducted across 140 countries and territories.
The research included more than 3.2 million adolescents, providing a broad assessment of physical activity patterns among young people worldwide.
Despite growing awareness of the importance of exercise and healthy lifestyles, the findings show that adolescent physical activity levels have remained virtually unchanged for approximately 15 years.
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for several noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Encouraging healthy physical activity habits during adolescence is therefore an important part of long-term disease prevention and health promotion.
Girls Remain Less Physically Active Than Boys
One of the most significant findings is the persistent gender gap in adolescent physical activity.
According to WHO:
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28% of girls reported no days with at least 60 minutes of physical activity during the previous week.
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22% of boys reported the same.
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Only 11% of girls reported achieving the activity threshold every day.
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Among boys, 17% reported meeting the threshold on all seven days.
Girls were less physically active than boys in almost every country and across all WHO regions.
The findings highlight the need for policies and programs that address the specific barriers preventing girls from participating in regular physical activity.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that progress has been limited for 15 years and that girls continue to face the greatest disadvantages.
He stressed that improving adolescent activity requires more than encouraging individual effort. Schools, streets, and communities must be designed to make movement, play, and physical activity safe, accessible, and part of everyday life.
Major Differences in Physical Activity Across Countries
The WHO study also identified substantial differences between countries.
In some countries, only 4% of adolescents reported no days meeting the 60-minute physical activity threshold.
In others, the proportion exceeded 40%.
These differences suggest that young people's opportunities to be physically active are strongly influenced by their surrounding environments and social conditions.
Access to safe public spaces, affordable recreational activities, suitable transportation infrastructure, and supportive school environments can all affect physical activity participation.
The findings reinforce the importance of addressing physical inactivity through public policies and community-level initiatives rather than relying solely on individual motivation.
Why Are Adolescents Not Getting Enough Physical Activity?
WHO identifies several interconnected factors that can influence adolescents' opportunities to be active.
These include:
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Limited access to safe public spaces: Young people may lack suitable parks, playgrounds, or recreational facilities.
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Transport and urban design: Communities without safe walking and cycling routes may discourage active transportation.
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School environments: Opportunities for physical education, sports, and recreational activities may be insufficient.
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Affordability: The cost of sports programs, equipment, and facilities can restrict participation.
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Social and cultural barriers: Social expectations and unequal opportunities may affect participation, particularly among girls.
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Screen-based lifestyles: Increasing time spent on digital devices may influence how adolescents use their leisure time.
WHO emphasizes that there is no single explanation for the lack of global progress.
Instead, physical activity is shaped by the places where young people live, study, travel, and spend their free time.
WHO Calls for Stronger Action to Promote Physical Activity
To address the problem, WHO is calling for coordinated action across multiple sectors, including education, transportation, urban planning, sports, and healthcare.
Countries are encouraged to introduce policies that make physical activity a safe, accessible, and convenient part of daily life.
Key priorities include improving opportunities for physical activity in schools, investing in safe walking and cycling infrastructure, and developing communities that encourage movement and recreation.
Special attention is also needed to address the multiple barriers faced by adolescent girls.
By improving access to inclusive and supportive environments, governments and communities can help young people develop active habits that may benefit their health throughout adulthood.
Building Healthier and More Active Communities for Young People
The latest WHO findings highlight a significant global public health challenge.
With approximately 240 million adolescents reporting no days meeting the 60-minute physical activity threshold during the previous week, the need for effective and sustainable interventions remains urgent.
Improving physical activity among young people is not simply a matter of encouraging them to exercise more.
It requires long-term investment in schools, transportation systems, public spaces, and community programs that make active living easier and more accessible.
WHO's message is clear: Creating healthier environments for adolescents is essential to promoting physical activity, reducing future disease risks, and supporting the well-being of the next generation.
Reference :
Source: World Health Organization (WHO). Global estimates of adolescent physical activity, with research published in The Lancet Global Health.
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