Physical activity and youth

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Regular physical activity provides young people with important physical, mental and social health benefits. Regular practice of physical activity helps children and young people to build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints, helps control body weight, helps reduce fat and develop efficient function of the heart and lungs. It contributes to the development of movement and co-ordination and helps prevent and control feelings of anxiety and depression. Play, games and other physical activities give young people opportunities for self-expression, building self-confidence, and feelings of achievement, social interaction and integration. hese positive effects also help counteract the risks and harm caused by the demanding, competitive, stressful and sedentary way of life that is so common in young people’s lives today. Involvement in properly guided physical activity and sports can also foster the adoption of other healthy behavior including avoidance of tobacco, alcohol and drug use and violent behavior. It can also foster healthy diet, adequate rest and better safety practices. Some studies show that among adolescents, the more often they participate in physical activity, the less likely they are to use tobacco. It has also been found that children who are more physically active showed higher academic performance. Team games and play promote positive social integration and facilitate the development of social skills in young children. Patterns of physical activity acquired during childhood and adolescence are more likely to be maintained throughout the life span, thus providing the basis for active and healthy life. On the other hand, unhealthy lifestyles—including sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and substance abuse, adopted at a young age are likely to persist in adulthood. Physical activity levels are decreasing among young people in countries around the world, especially in poor urban areas. It is estimated that less than one-third of young people are sufficiently active to benefit their present and future health and well-being. Physical education and other school-based physical activities are also decreasing. Few countries offer at least two hours per week of physical education in both primary and secondary schools. These negative trends are likely to continue, even worsen and spread to an increasing number of countries. This decline is largely due to increasingly common sedentary ways of life. For example fewer children walk or cycle to school and excessive time is devoted to watching television, playing computer games, and using computers--very often at the expense of time and opportunities for physical activity and sports. Many factors prevent young people from being regularly physically active: lack of time and motivation, insufficient support and guidance from adults, feelings of embarrassment or incompetence, lack of safe space and facilities for physical activity, and simple ignorance of the benefits of physical activity. Schools present unique opportunities to provide time, facilities and guidance for physical activity for young people. Schools have the mandate and responsibility for enhancing all aspects of growth and development for children and young people. In most countries, through physical education programmes, schools offer the only systematic opportunity for young people to take part in and learn about physical activity. Ample participation in play, games and other physical activities, both in school and during free time, is essential for the healthy development of every young person. Access to safe places, opportunities and time, and good examples from teachers, parents and friends are all part of ensuring that children and young people move for health.