80 Percent of Teens Do Not Exercise Enough: WHO

Exercise is essential for good physical and mental health, both short and long term. But the World Health Organization reports that 81 percent of teenagers, aged 11 to 17, report not engaging in the recommended one hour of exercise, sports or other physical activity daily. “The health benefits of a physically active lifestyle during adolescence include improved cardiorespiratory and muscular fitness, bone and cardiometabolic health, and positive effects on weight,” reports WHO. “There is also growing evidence that physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive development and socializing.” Other analysts suggest that adolescents spend more time spent on schoolwork or online activities and hold concerns about outdoor safety. No clear patterns were found among regions or income groups, though boys reported more exercise than girls. Girls were more active than boys in in Afghanistan, Samoa, Tonga and Zambia. – YaleGlobal