GENEVA, Nov 4: Nearly one in four adolescents worldwide failed to achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on any day during the previous week, raising fresh concerns about the long-term health of young people, according to new estimates released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The findings indicate that approximately 240 million young people aged between 11 and 17 years are missing out on recommended levels of daily physical activity, highlighting a major public health challenge affecting children and teenagers across different regions.
The global estimates, released on Wednesday, show that adolescents reported being physically active for an average of just 2.7 days a week. Only 14 per cent said they achieved at least 60 minutes of physical activity on all seven days.
The findings point to limited progress over the past 15 years, with physical activity levels among adolescents remaining virtually unchanged during the period.
The report also highlights a significant difference between boys and girls, with female adolescents considerably less likely to meet recommended activity levels.
According to the WHO, 28 per cent of girls reported having no days with at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the previous week, compared with 22 per cent of boys.
The organisation has called for stronger action from governments, schools, communities and public health institutions to make physical activity a normal and accessible part of everyday life.
Global Study Highlights a Persistent Health Challenge
The latest estimates are based on research published in The Lancet Global Health and draw on 389 population-based surveys conducted across 140 countries and territories.
The research involved more than 3.2 million adolescents, providing a broad assessment of physical activity patterns among young people across different geographical and social settings.
The findings suggest that insufficient physical activity remains a widespread concern despite growing awareness about the importance of exercise and healthy lifestyles.
Only a small proportion of adolescents reported being active for the recommended duration throughout the week.
The difference between the overall average and the recommended daily target indicates that many teenagers are not getting enough opportunities to participate in activities that support their physical development.
The WHO has warned that the absence of meaningful progress over such an extended period requires governments to reconsider how schools, public spaces and transport systems support the health of younger generations.
The organisation believes that physical activity should not be treated merely as an individual responsibility. Instead, communities must create conditions that allow children and teenagers to move safely and regularly.
Girls Face a Greater Risk of Physical Inactivity
One of the most concerning findings of the study is the persistent gender gap in adolescent physical activity.
The figures show that 28 per cent of girls reported no qualifying active days during the previous week, compared with 22 per cent of boys.
The difference was also visible among adolescents who reported being active every day. Only 11 per cent of girls achieved the daily activity target, compared with 17 per cent of boys.
The WHO said girls were less active than boys in almost every country and across nearly every WHO region.
The findings suggest that opportunities for exercise, recreation and sports participation are not equally available to all adolescents.
Social expectations, concerns about personal safety, limited access to suitable facilities and unequal encouragement to participate in sports can influence the physical activity levels of girls.
In some communities, girls may face additional restrictions on outdoor activities or have fewer opportunities to take part in organised sports.
The availability of safe recreational spaces, suitable sports facilities and supportive school environments can therefore play an important role in addressing the gender gap.
The WHO has urged countries to identify the barriers affecting girls and develop programmes that make physical activity more inclusive.
Schools and local authorities can contribute by ensuring that sports facilities are accessible, activities are affordable and girls are encouraged to participate without discrimination.
Physical Inactivity Can Increase Long-Term Disease Risks
Insufficient physical activity during adolescence can have consequences that extend well beyond childhood.
The WHO identifies physical inactivity as an important risk factor for several non-communicable diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
Regular movement supports cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, bone development and healthy body composition.
It also contributes to the development of physical skills and helps young people establish habits that may continue into adulthood.
Adolescence is an important period of physical and psychological development. During these years, individuals experience significant changes in their bodies, behaviour and daily routines.
Developing healthy activity patterns during this stage can help establish a foundation for better health throughout life.
By contrast, prolonged inactivity may contribute to unhealthy weight gain, reduced physical fitness and an increased likelihood of developing lifestyle-related health problems.
Physical activity also plays a role in supporting mental well-being. Regular exercise and participation in sports can provide opportunities for social interaction, improve confidence and help young people manage everyday stress.
The WHO’s latest findings therefore underline the need to view adolescent inactivity as a wider health and development issue rather than simply a matter of individual fitness.
Screen-Based Lifestyles and Changing Daily Habits
The report points to several factors that influence the physical activity levels of young people.
One of the important changes affecting modern lifestyles is the growing amount of time spent on screen-based activities.
Smartphones, computers, online entertainment and digital communication have become central to the daily routines of many adolescents.
Although technology offers educational and social benefits, prolonged periods of sitting can reduce the time available for outdoor games, walking, cycling and other forms of movement.
Transport habits also influence activity levels. In areas where teenagers depend heavily on motorised transport, opportunities for walking and cycling may be limited.
Urban planning, road safety and access to public recreational facilities can determine whether young people have practical opportunities to remain active.
The availability of sports programmes and playgrounds is another important factor.
Where facilities are limited, poorly maintained or expensive, families may find it difficult to encourage children to participate in regular physical activities.
The WHO has emphasised that there is no single explanation for the global situation. Different countries and communities face different combinations of social, economic, environmental and cultural barriers.
Addressing these challenges requires coordinated policies rather than relying solely on awareness campaigns.
Large Differences Between Countries
The global figures also conceal substantial differences between individual countries.
According to the WHO estimates, the proportion of adolescents reporting no qualifying active days was as low as 4 per cent in some countries, while it exceeded 40 per cent in others.
These variations demonstrate that physical inactivity is influenced by the environment in which young people live and grow up.
Access to parks, playgrounds, sports centres and safe streets can make regular movement easier.
In contrast, crowded neighbourhoods, unsafe roads, limited public spaces and financial barriers may discourage outdoor activities.
The quality of physical education programmes also varies considerably.
Some schools provide regular sports sessions and opportunities for students to participate in different activities, while others have limited facilities or insufficient time allocated to physical education.
The WHO believes that governments must consider these differences when developing national strategies.
Policies designed for urban communities may not necessarily address the requirements of rural populations, while programmes suitable for one social group may not work equally well for another.
Local planning and community participation are therefore important for improving access to physical activity.
WHO Calls for Action Across Multiple Sectors
Responding to the latest findings, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for a broader approach to improving adolescent health.
He said the lack of progress over the past 15 years showed that simply asking young people to exercise more was not enough.
Instead, schools, streets and communities must be designed in ways that make physical activity safe, convenient and accessible.
The WHO has called for stronger cooperation among the education, transport, urban planning, sports and healthcare sectors.
Schools have an important role in encouraging regular movement by providing quality physical education, organising sports activities and allowing students sufficient time for recreational exercise.
Local governments can contribute by developing playgrounds, maintaining parks and improving pedestrian infrastructure.
Safe walking and cycling routes can also encourage adolescents to include physical movement in their daily journeys.
Public sports programmes should be affordable and inclusive so that children from different economic backgrounds can participate.
The WHO has particularly stressed the importance of removing barriers faced by girls, including safety concerns and unequal access to recreational opportunities.
Schools and Families Have an Important Role
Educational institutions can help reverse the trend by making physical activity a regular part of school life.
Physical education should not be limited to occasional sports events or competitive activities.
Schools can introduce a wider range of options, including walking groups, cycling activities, recreational games, team sports and exercises suitable for students with different physical abilities.
Providing opportunities for participation rather than focusing exclusively on competition may encourage more adolescents to remain active.
Families can also support healthier routines by encouraging outdoor activities and reducing prolonged sedentary periods.
Walking together, playing outdoor games and participating in recreational sports can provide opportunities for regular movement.
However, the responsibility should not fall entirely on parents or individual teenagers.
Communities must provide safe spaces and affordable facilities so that physical activity is practical for families with different financial circumstances.
Healthcare professionals can also contribute by discussing movement and sedentary behaviour during routine consultations with adolescents and their families.
Building Healthier Habits for the Future
The latest WHO estimates underline the importance of addressing physical inactivity before unhealthy patterns become established in adulthood.
With approximately 240 million adolescents reporting no qualifying active days during the previous week, the scale of the challenge requires sustained attention from governments and public institutions.
The gender gap adds another dimension, highlighting the need for programmes that ensure girls have equal opportunities to participate in sports and recreational activities.
The findings also suggest that improving public awareness alone will not be sufficient unless accompanied by changes in schools, neighbourhoods and transport systems.
Creating accessible playgrounds, safer streets, inclusive sports programmes and supportive educational environments could help young people incorporate movement into their everyday lives.
The WHO has urged countries to treat adolescent physical activity as a public health priority and strengthen policies that encourage healthier lifestyles.
The organisation’s findings serve as a reminder that improving the health of future generations requires investment not only in medical services but also in the environments where children study, travel, play and spend their free time.