A recent study reveals that a sedentary lifestyle has affected more and more teenagers since the 1980s. Getting them moving is therefore a priority.
If it concerns all segments of the population, physical inactivity is a scourge that affects many adolescents. And it can be dramatic both physically and mentally. The collective “For a France in shape” led a large study on the country’s college students.
They analyzed the physical abilities of thousands of children, from 6th to 3rd. However, these have clearly deteriorated in the space of 40 years. Even worse, new technologies have favored the development of a sedentary lifestyle for young people. In addition, they can promote anxiety or tics.
As France prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the Government has decided to launch a program to get young people moving.
The arrival of “The French team of 30 minutes of physical activity”
The action began at the start of the 2022 school year in all primary schools. The government implemented this measure to encourage children to exert themselves more on a daily basis. For this, the lessons offer students 30 minutes of physical activity every day. This time can be split into several sessions or offered all at once.
But be careful because this activity time has nothing to do with a physical education class. He is offered in addition to this course and can take many forms. The lessons can adapt the form of these 30 minutes according to the facilities available and this without sportswear. These can be games, fun activities or recess sessions.
Today, the measure is adopted in primary school but the Government wants to go further. In view of the results of the study published on February 6, the program will also be offered at the college. It is accompanied for this by a waist support. Indeed, 150 top athletes will meet teenagers to encourage them to move more.
A French team of #30mnPhysical Activitymade up of 150 high-level athletes, will go to schools to talk regarding sport and above all to practice ⛹???????? for at least 30 minutes, during this somewhat special visit ????
Plus d’info ⤵️https://t.co/TFSs4hcQqB pic.twitter.com/eVk5US0W0i
– Ministry of Sports ???????? (@Sports_gouv) February 6, 2023
What are the risks associated with excessive sedentary lifestyle in adolescents?
The lack of physical activity results first of all in earlier health problems. Health professionals have seen an increase in cases of diabetes among young people between the ages of 16 and 18.
Obesity is also recurrent in children and today affects 17% of this segment of the population. In addition, the risk of disease in affected children and adolescents increases in adulthood. But the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle also affect the mind.
While sport contributes to a feeling of well-being and to boosting self-confidence, inactivity has the opposite effects. In fact, teenagers close themselves off, do not dare to go out… Encouraging physical activity via this program is therefore a first step in giving young people a taste for sport.
