Teens need more exercise: study

A World Health Organisation-led study found teenagers worldwide are not getting enough exercise.Co-author of the study Fiona Bull urged policymakers worldwide to ‘‘act now for the health of this and future young generations’’.‘‘Countries must develop or update their policies and allocate the necessary resources to increase physical activity,’’ Ms Bull said.‘‘Four in every five adolescents do not experience the enjoyment and social, physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity.’’A physically active lifestyle improves cardio-respiratory and muscular fitness, bone and cardio- metabolic health, and has positive effects on weight.There is also growing evidence that physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive development and socialising, with these benefits continuing into adulthood.The study was based on data from 146 countries and found that more than 80 per cent of adolescents did not meet a WHO recommendation for at least an hour of physical activity a day.Girls were more inactive than boys, with 85 per cent of girls failing to hit the daily exercise target, compared to 78 per cent of boys.The study looked at adolescents from 2001 to 2016, and its authors do not believe things have improved in the years since.Co-author of the study Leanne Riley said the lack of physical activity might be attributed to the expansion in digital technology, by spending an increased amount of time on devices including phones and tablets.‘‘We’ve had this electronic revolution that seems to have changed adolescents’ movement patterns and encourages them to sit more, to be less active, to drive more, walk less, (and) be less active in general,’’ Ms Riley said.The highest percentage of insufficient activity was found in South Korea at 94 per cent, with the lowest in Bangladesh at 66 per cent.