Necessity for Physical Activity Promotion in German Children

作者：Kettner S^*; Wirt T; Fischbach N; Kobel S; Kesztyues D; Schreiber A; Drenowatz C; Steinacker J M

来源：Deutsche Zeitschrift fur Sportmedizin, 2012, 63(4): 94-101.

DOI：10.5960/dzsm.2012.016

• Motion behaviour
• environment
• school
• overweight
• prevention

Physical activity plays a central role throughout the entire development in childhood and is highly relevant to health. Besides genetic constraints, physical activity is strongly influenced by environmental factors. Children's everyday life environment is increasingly characterised by inactivity particularly due to social changes. Although a decline of physical activity in children and the related consequences such as overweight, health impairments and reduced quality of life have been observed, it is doubtful whether the extent of this global epidemic gets enough attention in Germany and is not only limited to socially-deprived groups. Current international guidelines recommend a minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day for children. Nearly 85% of German children do not achieve these guidelines. In addition, there is a secular trend over the past decades showing decreasing activity levels, which aggravate with age. Accordingly, almost one-third of preschool children are active for at least 60 minutes per day whereas only 6.6% of teenagers achieve the recommended guidelines. Since an active lifestyle starts at an early age and has positive influence on activity and health behaviour later on, early and specific measures to ensure an active lifestyle are necessary Kindergarten as well as schools can he important and promising settings for cost-effective interventions.

• 出版日期2012