WHO study says 81% of adolescents aged 11-17 lack physical activities

At least 81% of adolescents aged 11 to 17 lack physical activities which may possibly put their health at risk, according to a study of the World Health Organization (WHO).

The study said these young teens have spent less than an hour in moderate to intense physical activities per day.

The study also showed that at least 85% of those found to be less active are female, while 77% are male.

Based on the data of WHO in 2019, South Korea topped the countries with the most physically inactive adolescents, followed by the Philippines.

Mother Jenny Santos said staying up late and always in front of their gadgets were part of her children’s everyday routine since the pandemic began.

“3 a.m. lalabas ako, gising so yun nagcecellphone. Parang naapektuhan din yung paggising nila sa umaga,” Santos said in Katrina Son's "24 Oras" report on Tuesday.

(When I wake up at 3 a.m., I will see them still awake and playing on their cellphones. It also affects their waking up habits.)

Lucky, her 14-year-old son, said he felt weak and tired after hours of sitting and lying down.

“Kasi yun nga po bawal lumabas. Hindi nakagawa ng physical activities. I felt a lot weaker in the past two years because I have not run,” he said.

(We were not allowed to go out. We cannot do physical activities. I felt a lot weaker in the past two years because I haven't run.)

Santos said she also noticed that her children became more irritable.

WHO said adolescents may risk their health due to lack of physical activities.

It said that 500 million people worldwide could possibly develop heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or other non-communicable diseases in 2020 to 2030.

In the latest data of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), heart diseases are the leading cause of death among Filipinos.

“Yung pagiging sedentary, yan yung panibagong smoking so yun yung parang bagong pag-aaral din sa ngayon. Pwede kang mag-gain ng weight. Yung mga taong on the heavier side ay mas prone sa pagiging diabetic, pagkakaroon ng sakit sa puso, sa pagkakaroon even ng mga mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and all other diseases,” lifestyle medicine specialist Dr. Dex Macalintal said.

(A sedentary lifestyle is the new smoking, that's what studies show now. You can gain weight. Those who are on the heavier side are more prone to being diabetic, having heart disease, even having mental health issues, depression, anxiety, and all other diseases.)

Health experts encouraged the public  to practice the “20-20” rule which means every 20 minutes one must stand, walk, or do arm stretching for at least 20 seconds. This aims to increase the heart rate which helps to burn calories in the body.

They are also advised to exercise for at least 30 minutes and make 10,000 steps a day which can also help a lot.

“Tandaan din natin na ang mga panahong ito pabata nang pabata yung nadidiagnose ng heart disease, diabetes, and even yung mga depression,” Macalintal said.

(Let's also remember that these days, heart disease, diabetes, and even depression are striking younger people.)

“That is why we still encourage yung mga bata talaga magkaroon ng physical activities,” he added.

(That is why we still encourage the children to have physical activities.)—Richa Noriega/LDF, GMA News