Physical activity in children and youngsters

Abstract

Physical activity (PA) is a preventive factor for diseases associated with inactivity. Childhood and adolescence are golden ages to promote PA habits for life. The purpose of this review study is to characterize PA levels of children and adolescents. We analyzed the studies of PA tracking and studies which attempted to identify the PA levels of children and youngsters. Longitudinal studies show that PA declines along age and that it has low stability. The decline of PA is steeper in the transition between childhood and adolescence and within adolescence. According to the analyzed studies children and adolescents do not accomplish the PA guidelines that were recommended for them.