Lack of Physical Activity Among Teens: WHO Says 1 in 4 Is Inactive

Lack of Physical Activity

Overview

One in four teenagers worldwide recorded no active day in the past week, the World Health Organisation said on Wednesday. The Lancet Global Health study covers 140 countries and more than 3.2 million adolescents. The lack of physical activity among teens has barely improved in 15 years, and girls trail boys.

Key Highlights

  • One in four adolescents aged 11 to 17 reported no active days in the previous week, roughly 240 million young people.
  • Teens averaged 2.7 active days a week. Only 14 per cent were active all seven days.
  • 28 per cent of girls reported no active days, compared with 22 per cent of boys.

What Happened?

The WHO released the new global estimates on Wednesday, November 4. The Lancet Global Health study draws on hundreds of population-based surveys. An “active day” means at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity.

The gaps between countries were wide. About 40 percent of adolescents in Namibia, Nepal and the Philippines reported no active days. In Bangladesh and Serbia, more than 30 percent reported being active daily.

The gender gap is held in almost every country and region. Only 11 percent of girls said they were active every day, compared with 17 percent of boys. “For 15 years, the world has made almost no progress in getting young people moving, and girls are being left furthest behind,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

Why Is It Important?

The WHO calls physical inactivity a major risk factor for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers. It says habits formed early can reduce the global burden of these diseases. That makes the lack of physical activity among teens a long-term health issue, not just a lifestyle one.

Impact and Implications

The WHO says activity depends heavily on where young people live. Transport options, access to safe spaces, and the ability to walk or cycle all matter. School environments, social norms and screen-centred lifestyles also play a part.

Tedros said the answer is not to tell adolescents to try harder. Instead, he said, societies should build schools, streets and communities where being active is “safe, easy and normal.” The gender gap in activity suggests girls may face barriers that need targeted attention.

What Happens Next?

The WHO is urging governments to adopt policies that make physical activity a safe, accessible part of daily life. The agency has not announced a specific timeline. Future surveys will show whether the lack of physical activity among teens eases after 15 years of stagnation.

Search