"Insufficient" in the physical activity of children and adolescents

A group of researchers, bringing together scientists related to universities and experts from the Institute of Mother and Child, assessed ten areas related to the physical activity of children and adolescents in Poland on the basis of the best available data. The areas are presented on a school scale, where "1" is the lowest grade, and "5+" - the highest. The overall physical activity of Polish children and adolescents was assessed at 1. Only 16.8 percent. people in the study are moderately or heavily physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, seven days a week.

Participation in organized sport and physical activity was rated "3+". The report shows that 41.4 percent. youth aged 11–15 participated in organized activities in team sports, and 26.4% - in individual sports. The use of active transport was also not rated highly, because it was only "3-". 48.3 percent young people aged 11-15 go to school on foot or by bicycle. The average percentage of children and adolescents who reach school actively was estimated at 44.8%

"Dwója", on the other hand, was exposed to adolescents for sedentary behavior, that is, behavior that is characterized by low energy expenditure and performed in a sitting, reclining or lying position. Nearly three-quarters of second-grade students spent less than two hours a day in front of a television screen and used electronic media on school days. More than two-thirds of young people spent less than two hours a day playing on a computer, console, tablet or smartphone on school days, while only almost 44% at weekends. of them declared such activity. Among 17-year-old high school students this percentage exceeded 75%.

It wasn't just the adolescents who got poor marks in this study. Only the "three" were assessed for government actions aimed at influencing physical activity opportunities or the participation of children and adolescents in physical activity through policies, legislation or regulations. As the authors of the report indicate, Poland does not have a comprehensive, coherent, inter-ministerial strategy for promoting physical activity among children and adolescents. The promotion of physical activity and sport is dealt with separately by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and the Ministry of Education and Science. As indicated by the researchers, the promotion of physical activity practically does not function in policies in the field of transport, health and spatial development, and sedentary behavior is not treated as a significant social problem. The authors admit, however, that the Ministry of Sport and Tourism implements large programs aimed at promoting sport among children and adolescents, including Club or School Sports Club, and the budget for financing universal sport from the Ministry of Sport and Tourism is growing year by year. However, it is important to collect data of better quality so that the real impact of these activities can be assessed.

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