A new WHO report reveals that 86% of adolescents worldwide do not meet daily physical activity recommendations, with girls significantly less active than boys
GENEVA: A new World Health Organization (WHO) report has raised concerns about physical inactivity among young people, revealing that only 14% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 achieve the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity every day.
Released on November 4, the report found that approximately 240 million adolescents, representing one in four globally, reported no days with at least 60 minutes of physical activity during the previous week. The findings highlight limited progress in encouraging healthier lifestyles over the past 15 years. World Health Organization
Girls Face Greater Physical Activity Gap
The study, based on 389 population surveys involving more than 3.2 million adolescents across 140 countries and territories, identified persistent differences between boys and girls. Only 11% of girls met daily activity recommendations, compared with 17% of boys. Meanwhile, 28% of girls reported no active days during the previous week, against 22% of boys. WHO warned that insufficient physical activity increases long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
WHO and Olympic Movement Call for Action
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has highlighted the findings, stressing the importance of accessible sporting opportunities for young people. Its Let’s Move campaign, developed with WHO, encourages participation through the 2026 message “You Can Do This!” Since 2022, IOC-supported programmes have reached more than 50 million people, involving 42,000 organisations and supporting 107,000 coaches, teachers and healthcare workers.
Impact to Expect
WHO is urging governments, schools and communities to provide safer walking routes, affordable sports facilities and inclusive physical education programmes. The findings reinforce the importance of addressing barriers faced by girls while making daily movement easier for all adolescents. Without stronger action, countries risk missing the global target of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030.
