A recent global estimate from the World Health Organization (WHO), released on November 4, indicates that approximately a quarter of adolescents worldwide are not engaging in even 60 minutes of physical activity on a single day during the week. This alarming finding highlights a persistent public health challenge, with around 240 million young people aged 11–17 years missing out on the crucial benefits of regular exercise.
The study, published in The Lancet Global Health, analyzed data from 389 population-based surveys across 140 countries and territories, encompassing over 3.2 million adolescents. It revealed that young people were physically active for an average of just 2.7 days per week, with only 14% reporting achievement of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily. Furthermore, the report suggests little progress has been made in improving adolescent physical activity levels over the past 15 years, sparking concerns about the long-term health consequences of increasingly inactive lifestyles.
Persistent Gender Gap in Activity Levels
The WHO report identified a significant and persistent gender gap in physical activity, with adolescent girls consistently less active than boys across nearly every country and WHO region. Approximately 28% of girls reported zero active days in the previous week, compared with 22% of boys. This disparity was also evident among adolescents who exercised daily: only 11% of girls reported being active on all seven days, against 17% of boys.
These figures suggest that girls encounter additional barriers to participating in regular physical activity. Factors such as safety concerns, societal expectations, limited access to suitable sporting facilities, and a lack of inclusive opportunities can significantly impact their ability to exercise regularly. The study also noted considerable differences between countries, with some reporting as few as 4% of adolescents having no active days, while others exceeded 40%, underlining the influence of local infrastructure, school environments, access to public spaces, and socioeconomic conditions.
Long-Term Health Implications and Call to Action
Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. Regular exercise during adolescence is vital for healthy growth, stronger bones, improved fitness, and enhanced mental well-being. The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized that the responsibility for increasing activity levels should not rest solely on young people.
“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.”
The organization has called for coordinated action across various sectors, including education, transport, urban planning, sports, and healthcare. Key recommendations include expanding physical education in schools, improving access to sports facilities, and investing in safe walking and cycling routes to foster environments that promote and facilitate physical activity for all adolescents.