Warning about the lack of physical activity among young people.

(PLVN) - At the workshop summarizing the Sports for Public Health Cooperation Initiative; a program within the framework of cooperation between the Vietnam Olympic Committee, the Department of Physical Education and Sports (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), the World Health Organization (WHO)... aimed at promoting the role of community sports and physical activity in building healthier, more active communities, WHO warned about the "crisis of inactivity" among Vietnamese youth.

According to the WHO, Vietnam is among the countries with a high rate of sedentary youth, with 91% of girls and 82% of boys not meeting the minimum recommended daily exercise. These are alarming figures. Lack of physical activity is one of the main factors contributing to the increased burden of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and mental health problems.

There are several reasons for this situation. Firstly, academic pressure. Many students maintain the habit of sitting in class for too long, while physical education in some schools remains 형식적인 (formalistic), with limited time and a lack of appeal. Secondly, the explosion of the digital age, where smart devices and social media are gradually replacing outdoor physical activities, causing young people to become immersed in the virtual world and forget about physical activities.

Third, rapid urbanization is shrinking green spaces, parks, and playgrounds in cities. When living environments lack safe spaces for exercise, coupled with air pollution and complex traffic, parents tend to keep their children at home, inadvertently pushing them into a secluded lifestyle. Fourth, some families still hold the misconception that academic achievement is more important than the role of sports .

The consequences of the above causes, combined with a diet excessively high in fast food, have been repeatedly warned about by the National Institute of Nutrition, as evidenced by the alarmingly high rate of obesity among urban students, leading to the early onset of metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension even at school age.

Health is one of the most precious assets in life. Without health, it is difficult to have a good quality of life. Besides young people, the WHO recommends that adults maintain at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise per week. Regular physical exercise, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and undergoing regular health checkups will help reduce the risk of illness. Parents, in particular, must be aware of, practice, and set a good example in this regard; so that Vietnamese people will have more energy, be more positive, and live healthier and happier lives.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/canh-bao-tinh-trang-thieu-van-dong-o-gioi-tre.html