France is ranked 119 out of 146 in a study on the physical activity of adolescents, published by the World Health Organization.
Young French people need to do more physical exercise. According to a WHO study, they are far from following the organization’s recommendations: one hour of moderate or intense physical activity each day. Out of 146 countries studied, France is at 119and position in the ranking.
Girls exercise less than boys
Posted in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, the study shows that 80% of teenagers in the world do less than one hour of physical activity per day. It was carried out using data concerning 1.6 million pupils aged 11 to 17 over the period 2001-2016. Girls are more affected than boys in the vast majority of countries: on average, 85% do not comply with WHO recommendations, compared to 78% of boys.
Consequences on health
According to the WHO, physical exercise is necessary for good health: it allows you to have good cardio-respiratory and muscular shape, to ensure good bone condition and to have a stable weight. “The evidence we have today suggests that a large part of these effects continue to be felt in adulthood”, specifies the Press release of the WHO. These activities are also essential for the socialization of children.
Too long days in France?
AT franceinfo, Regina Guthold, a doctor at the WHO, confides that she is not surprised by the results of France. “In France, I know that children go to school from morning until evening, she explains, they come home, they have homework to do. How can they do an hour of physical activity every day if the whole day is full?” For the authors of the study, it is the political decision-makers who must take measures to allow young people to do more sport. “These policies must promote the development of all forms of physical activity, including physical education, active play and recreational activities, and provide safe environments for young people to walk and cycle unsupervised” , they conclude.
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