Just 13% of UK teenage girls meet daily exercise targets

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 12:44 · Archive

Only 13% of UK teenage girls are active every day, with one in five boys meeting daily exercise targets.

Only 13% of UK teenage girls exercise every day, according to World Health Organisation findings, compared with one in five (21%) boys. The research prompted warnings that more needs to be done to boost teenage exercise levels, amid concerns about the impact on their health.

The study of 3.2 million children and teenagers aged 11 to 17 found that UK adolescents are active on average just four days a week. Just under 40% of UK adolescents report three or fewer active days. Globally, the figures are similar, with 14% of teenagers active every day and 25% not active on any days.

The NHS recommends children aged 5 to 18 should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity a day, which can be spread across the week. Moderate activity includes brisk walking, cycling and dancing, while vigorous activity includes running, swimming and fast cycling. The health body states there is "strong scientific evidence" that being physically active can lower the risk of early death by up to 30 per cent and can reduce the risk of major illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes, type two diabetes and cancer.

UK teenagers do not get as much exercise as their peers in some other countries. Finland reports 28% of teenagers are active every day, while Canada reports a quarter are active for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity each day.

Research found physical activity among teenagers worldwide is "low", with girls particularly less active than boys.

How it is being reported

• Teens worldwide aren't getting enough exercise -- especially girlsA new study looks at the recommended amount of daily exercise for adolescents — and how few are getting it.NPR · 5 Nov, 12:24
• Britain's teens are not exercising enough – especially girls, experts warnNew study found that around the world, teenagers are active for an average of 2.7 days each weekThe Mirror · 4 Nov, 15:26
• Just 13% of UK teenage girls active every day, WHO figures showExperts have warned that more needs to be done to boost the exercise levels of UK teenagers - with just 13% of teenage girls active every day.Sky News · 4 Nov, 15:17

In this story: UK · World Health Organisation · Finland · Canada · NHS · University of Edinburgh · University of Oxford

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