One in four adolescents globally fails to achieve the World Health Organization’s benchmark of 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, with female teenagers emerging as the least active demographic worldwide, according to findings from a global analysis.
The findings, highlighted by PUSKESMAS TANGAN-TANGAN, reveal that an estimated 240 million adolescents aged 11 to 17 failed to meet basic movement thresholds over a seven-day assessment period, specifically during the period of October 26-31, 2026.
Only 14 percent of adolescents globally were active every single day during the week evaluated, and adolescents worldwide averaged only 2.7 days of physical activity per week. Studies show that only 11 percent of girls and 17 percent of boys are active daily. The underlying data draws from 389 population-based surveys spanning 140 countries and territories, incorporating information from numerous teenagers.
Adolescent Girls Face Higher Rates of Physical Inactivity
- The Gender Gap: Adolescent girls face significantly higher rates of physical inactivity compared to boys across nearly all global regions.
Insufficient Adolescent Activity Strains Global Healthcare Systems
According to data, 86% of adolescents fail to meet recommended physical activity levels globally, placing immense strain on public healthcare systems. The report notes that insufficient physical activity is projected to cost global healthcare systems nearly US$ 300 billion between 2020 and 2030. This systemic inactivity significantly elevates the risk of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular pathologies, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and specific oncological conditions.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated in the reporting from PUSKESMAS TANGAN-TANGAN and Ketik: For 15 years, the world has made almost no progress in encouraging young people to move, and girls are being left furthest behind. Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also stated: Solusinya bukan sekadar menyuruh remaja untuk berusaha lebih keras.
Kita perlu membangun sekolah, jalan, dan lingkungan masyarakat yang membuat aktivitas fisik, bermain, dan bergerak menjadi aman, mudah, serta hal yang lumrah, emphasizing that the challenge involves factors such as urban environments, school setups, transportation networks, public spaces, pedestrian access, cycling infrastructure, affordable facilities, social norms, and screen-based lifestyles.
“Solusinya bukan sekadar menyuruh remaja untuk berusaha lebih keras. Kita perlu membangun sekolah, jalan, dan lingkungan masyarakat yang membuat aktivitas fisik, bermain, dan bergerak menjadi aman, mudah, serta hal yang lumrah,” said WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Domestic Health Screening and National Targets
At the regional level, Indonesian health authorities have documented similar patterns of sedentary behavior among school-aged populations. Antara reported that the Indonesian Ministry of Health aims to achieve an 80 percent rate of adequate physical activity among the population by 2029, aligning with the WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA).
Aji Muhawarman, Head of the Bureau of Communication and Public Information at the Ministry of Health, detailed these targets in reporting by Antara.
Among school-aged children evaluated during recent health screenings, insufficient physical activity was documented: specifically, children who participated in the 2025 Free Health Check (Cek Kesehatan Gratis/CKG) lacked sufficient physical activity. Physical fitness screenings revealed that children possessed substandard physical fitness levels categorized as poor or very poor.
These screenings also identified early indicators of metabolic dysregulation, including elevated body mass index, pediatric obesity, and blood pressure measurements exceeding normal physiological thresholds, alongside the fact that school years represent a critical window for bone and muscle mass development that cannot be repeated in adulthood.
| Metric | Global Estimate (WHO) | Indonesian Screening Data |
|---|---|---|
| Adolescent Inactivity Rate | ~25% (240 million youth) | Children evaluated in CKG 2025 |
| Daily Activity Adherence (Girls) | 11% active daily | Not separately isolated in domestic screening data |
| Daily Activity Adherence (Boys) | 17% active daily | Not separately isolated in domestic screening data |
| Substandard Physical Fitness | Global average 2.7 days/week active | Screened children |
Antara noted that regional municipal health offices across Indonesia have accelerated physical activity programming, with 41.63 percent of districts successfully executing standardized joint exercise and fitness measurement initiatives by the close of 2025, exceeding the initial 25 percent target for that year.
Physical Activity Helps Mitigate Psychiatric Symptoms
Regular physical activity helps enhance mental health, cognitive function, and quality of life for individuals with psychiatric disorders, while showing potential to mitigate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress. Evidence supports structured physical activity prescriptions detailing activity type, frequency, intensity, duration, safety precautions, and follow-up plans, akin to pharmacological treatments as noted by Carl Zhou on Thursday, November 5, 2026. Meta-analyses indicate that modalities such as walking, jogging, yoga, and strength training can alleviate depressive symptoms, with moderate-intensity activity of approximately 75 minutes per week providing measurable benefits.
For individuals with schizophrenia and severe mental illness, who face elevated cardiometabolic risks and premature mortality, aerobic exercise can improve overall cognitive function, working memory, attention, and social cognition.
To support broader health goals, the WHO recommends that adults engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week, while physical activity initiatives concurrently contribute to global targets addressing non-communicable diseases and Sustainable Development Goals.
Regular physical activity during adolescence yields transformative, lifelong advantages spanning immediate wellness, future adult health, and intergenerational well-being, according to findings from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global trends in adolescent physical activity… pic.twitter.com/hIidQYcza5
References
- Ketik: WHO global estimates on adolescent movement and gender disparities.
Building environments that keep adolescents active requires multi-sectoral collaboration and policy alignment, according to findings from the WHO Global trends in adolescent physical activity report released on November 4, 2026.#starinfographics pic.twitter.com/KEPl0iYf6Q
