--- title: "One in Four Adolescents Globally Lack Daily Physical Activity" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/health/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/health/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity" category: "Health" published: "2026-11-05T05:05:11.055Z" source_reported: "2026-11-05T03:23:59.000Z" updated: "2026-11-05T05:05:11.055Z" trust_score: 30 critic_score: 50 hype_score: 45 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-11-05T07:00:08.239986+00:00" --- # One in Four Adolescents Globally Lack Daily Physical Activity *WHO study reveals stagnation in activity levels over 15 years, with girls being less active than boys.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 30 of 100, higher is better. The central claim is attributed to the WHO, but no named sources or documents are cited directly. - Craft 50 of 100, higher is better. The digests provide a summary of the story but lack specific details, quotes, or context. - Hype 45 of 100, lower is better. Headlines use phrases like 'sounds alarm' and 'warns' which create urgency without substantial detail in the digests. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - Globally, one in four adolescents aged 11-17 do not achieve 60 minutes of physical activity on any day of the week. - This represents approximately 240 million young people worldwide who are not meeting recommended activity levels. - There has been minimal to no improvement in adolescent physical activity rates over the last 15 years. - Girls are consistently less active than boys across most analysed countries. A global study by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that one in four adolescents worldwide does not engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any given day of the week. This lack of activity affects approximately 240 million young people aged between 11 and 17 years. The research, published in The Lancet Global Health, also highlights that there has been little to no progress in improving adolescent physical activity levels over the past 15 years. Furthermore, girls are reported to be significantly less active than boys. ## Disagreement on daily activity percentage While many reports state that one in four adolescents worldwide does not get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day of the week, some digests provide a more specific figure for daily activity. Protothema and Tagesschau report that only 14% of adolescents worldwide engage in physical activity every day of the week. El Heraldo de Saltillo and 20minutos also state that only 14 percent move on a daily basis. Sky News UK and Great Yorkshire Radio report that just 13% of UK teenage girls are active every day. ## What the coverage left out None of the left-rated digests mention the specific figure of 14% of adolescents worldwide engaging in physical activity every day of the week. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific figure of 13% of UK teenage girls being active every day. None of the right-rated digests mention the specific figure of 13% of UK teenage girls being active every day. ## Who covered it Shares of the 21 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 25% (5) - Centre: 40% (9) - Right: 35% (7) 24 of 45 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-11-05T07:00:08.239986+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 9 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-11-05T07:30:10.908Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Left-rated reports focused on the global statistic that one in four adolescents worldwide does not get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day of the week. These reports also highlighted that girls are significantly less active than boys. Philstar Global specifically noted that Filipino teens are among the least physically active globally, with around 40% reporting no day with at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity in a week. Indian Express and Inquirer also led with the statistic that a quarter of teens globally engage in basically no physical activity, not even an hour of exercise a week, with Inquirer adding that this significantly raises health risks. ### Centre - Centre-rated reports consistently highlighted the core finding that one in four adolescents worldwide does not get at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day of the week, with girls being less active than boys. Hindustan Times and France 24 both reported this statistic, with France 24 adding that the WHO study was published in The Lancet Global Health. Medical Xpress and 20minutos also stated that a quarter of teens globally engage in basically no physical activity, not even an hour of exercise a week, with 20minutos adding that adolescents reported exercising only 2.7 days a week on average, and only 14% reported physical activity seven days a week. Tagesschau noted that sports and exercise are no longer part of everyday life for many children and young people, and that there are many 'movement muffles' in Germany. Euronews stated that teenagers worldwide aren't getting enough exercise and the problem has barely changed in 15 years. ### Right - Right-rated reports focused on the statistic that one in four adolescents worldwide gets less than an hour of physical activity per week. These reports also frequently mentioned that girls are less active than boys. Observador stated that about 25% of young people between 11 and 17 had no active day. Protothema reported that globally, adolescents reported exercising on average only 2.7 days per week, and only 14% said they engage in physical activity every day of the week. Ary News and Daily Sabah both reported that a quarter of teens globally engage in basically no physical activity, not even an hour of exercise a week, with Ary News adding that this significantly raises health risks. Globo reported that 1 in every 4 adolescents in the world does not record even one day of physical activity in the week, considering at least 60 minutes of exercise. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - mixed: 5 - high: 9 - unknown: 23 - veryHigh: 8 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [noticiaslatam.lat](https://noticiaslatam.lat/20261105/el-86-de-los-adolescentes-en-el-mundo-no-se-ejercita-advierte-la-oms-1175743448.html) — 86% of Adolescents in the World Do Not Exercise, Warns WHO - [allAfrica](https://allafrica.com/stories/202611050012.html) — Africa: 15 Years of 'Almost No Progress' in Getting Young People Moving - [Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/health-wellness/adolescents-worldwide-exercise-daily-boys-10951410) — One in four adolescents worldwide gets no daily exercise, girls lag behind boys - [khbrknews](https://khbrknews.com/just-13-of-uk-teenage-girls-active-every-day-who-figures-show) — Just 13% of UK teenage girls active every day, WHO figures show - [Hindustan Times](https://hindustantimes.com/india-news/1-in-4-adolescents-not-active-for-even-an-hour-a-day-lancet-study-101793820549623.html) — 1 in 4 adolescents not active for even an hour a day: Lancet study - [Philstar Global](https://philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2026/11/05/2568038/filipino-teens-among-least-physically-active-globally-who-study) — Filipino teens among least physically active globally - [Inquirer](https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/782273/who-warns-of-lack-of-physical-activity-among-teens) — WHO warns of lack of physical activity among teens - [France24](https://france24.com/fr/info-en-continu/20261104-l-oms-alerte-sur-le-manque-d-activit%C3%A9-physique-des-adolescents) — WHO Warns About Lack of Physical Activity of Adolescents - [RTS](https://rts.ch/info/sante/2026/article/oms-1-adolescent-sur-4-ne-fait-aucune-activite-physique-29406176.html) — WHO: 1 in 4 Adolescents Do Not Perform Any Physical Activity - [Medical Xpress](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-11-alarm-lack-physical-teens.html) — WHO sounds alarm over lack of physical activity among teens - [pelop.gr](https://pelop.gr/pou-enas-stous-tesseris-efivous-den-askeitai-oute-mia-ora-tin-evdomada) — WHO: One in Four Teenagers Doesn't Exercise Even One Hour a Week - [ΑΘΗΝΑ 9,84](https://athina984.gr/2026/11/04/o-pagkosmios-organismos-ygeias-proeidopoiei-gia-tin-elleipsi-askisis-apo-toys-neoys) — World Health Organization Warns of Lack of Exercise Among Young People - [Global Diaspora News](https://globaldiasporanews.com/15-years-of-almost-no-progress-in-getting-young-people-moving-who) — 15 years of ‘almost no progress’ in getting young people moving: WHO - [El Heraldo de Saltillo](https://elheraldodesaltillo.mx/2026/11/04/la-oms-lanza-alerta-sobre-los-adolescentes-el-86-no-alcanza-la-actividad-fisica-recomendada) — WHO Alerts Adolescents: 86 per Cent Do Not Reach Recommended Physical Activity - [rtl.lu](https://rtl.lu/news/international/ze-weineg-beweegung-an-doduerch-gesondheetsriske-bei-jugendlechen-1530756500) — WHO Warns: Too Little Exercise and Consequent Health Risks for Young People - [Great Yorkshire Radio](https://greatyorkshireradio.co.uk/uk/just-13-of-uk-teenage-girls-active-every-day-who-figures-show) — Just 13% Of UK Teenage Girls Active Every Day, WHO Figures Show - [Dnevnik](https://dnevnik.si/novice/svet/raziskava-vsak-cetrti-mladostnik-se-ne-giba-niti-enkrat-na-teden-najmanj-aktivna-so-dekleta-2838452) — Research: One in Four Adolescents Does Not Exercise Even Once a Week, Girls Are the Least Active - [Observador](https://observador.pt/2026/11/04/um-em-cada-quatro-adolescentes-sem-atividade-fisica-em-2025) — One in Four Adolescents without Physical Activity in 2025 - [dailythedestination.com](https://dailythedestination.com/who-warns-millions-of-teenagers-worldwide-remain-physically-inactive) — WHO Warns Millions of Teenagers Worldwide Remain Physically Inactive - [news4health.gr](https://news4health.gr/fitness/nea-meleti-gia-tin-elleipsi-askisis-apo-tous-neous-molis-to-14-gymnazetai-kathimerina) — New Study on Lack of Exercise Among Young People - Only 14% Exercise Daily - [Tagesschau](https://tagesschau.de/wissen/gesundheit/kinder-jugendliche-bewegung-100.html) — According to WHO, One in Four Young People Barely Move - [Protothema](https://protothema.gr/world/article/1905706/pou-gia-ti-somatiki-drastiriotita-stous-neous-240-ekat-efivoi-den-askithikan-oute-mia-imera-tin-perasmeni-evdomada) — WHO Warns About Physical Activity in Young People: 240 Million Teenagers Did Not Exercise Even One Day Last Week - [folhanacional.pt](https://folhanacional.pt/2026/11/04/um-em-cada-quatro-adolescentes-sem-atividade-fisica-em-2025) — One in Four Adolescents without Physical Activity in 2025 - Folha Nacional - [Iefimerida](https://iefimerida.gr/kosmos/poy-enas-stoys-tesseris-efiboys-den-askeitai) — WHO: One in Four Teenagers Worldwide Does Not Exercise at All - iefimerida.gr - [SIC](https://sic.pt/sic-mulher/saude-e-bem-estar/2026-11-04-pode-ser-um-aviso-para-a-sua-filha-adolescentes-continuam-a-praticar-pouco-exercicio-fisico-d45c851e) — It May Be a Warning to Your Daughter: Teens Continue to Practice Little Physical Exercise - [Radio France Internationale](https://rfi.fr/fr/sports/20261104-l-oms-pointe-encore-le-manque-d-activit%C3%A9-physique-des-adolescents-dans-le-monde) — WHO Still Points to the Lack of Physical Activity of Adolescents Around the World - [The Scotsman](https://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/teenage-girls-exercise-activity-levels-uk-9330781) — Edinburgh researchers have found that teen girls are 'falling short' on exercise - [Business Daily](https://businessdaily.gr/diethni/241904_poy-enas-stoys-tesseris-efiboys-den-askeitai-eparkos-pagkosmios) — WHO: Warning About Low Exercise Levels in Young People - [Deutsches Ärzteblatt](https://aerzteblatt.de/news/who-bericht-jeder-vierte-jugendliche-weltweit-ohne-aktiven-tag-pro-woche-b8e64a56-65e4-46d0-a462-2d14b2192daa) — WHO Report: One in Four Young People Worldwide without an Active Day per Week - [20minutos](https://20minutos.es/salud/oms-alerta-que-muchos-jovenes-no-hacen-suficiente-ejercicio-comprometen-su-salud-futura_7057255_0.html) — WHO Warns that Many Young People Do Not Exercise Enough and Compromise Their Future Health - [spektrum.de](https://spektrum.de/news/bewegungsmangel-jeder-vierte-jugendliche-treibt-keinen-sport/2352755) — Lack of Exercise: One in Four Young People Does Not Exercise - [Insider Paper](https://insiderpaper.com/who-sounds-alarm-over-lack-of-physical-activity-among-teens) — WHO sounds alarm over lack of physical activity among teens - [ARY News](https://arynews.tv/who-sounds-alarm-over-lack-of-physical-activity-among-teens) — WHO sounds alarm over lack of physical activity among teens - [Le Monde](https://lemonde.fr/sciences/article/2026/11/04/dans-le-monde-seul-un-adolescent-sur-sept-bouge-tous-les-jours_6806311_1650684.html) — In the World, only One in Seven Teenagers Moves Every Day - [Sky News UK](https://news.sky.com/story/just-13-of-uk-teenage-girls-active-every-day-who-figures-show-13607989) — Just 13% of UK teenage girls active every day, WHO figures show - [Daily Sabah](https://dailysabah.com/life/health/who-warns-1-in-4-teens-worldwide-get-almost-no-exercise) — WHO warns 1 in 4 teens worldwide get almost no exercise - [Correio da Manhã](https://cmjornal.pt/sociedade/detalhe/um-em-cada-quatro-adolescentes-sem-atividade-fisica-em-2025) — One in Four Adolescents without Physical Activity in 2025 - [Noticias ao Minuto](https://noticiasaominuto.com/pais/3078455/um-em-cada-quatro-adolescentes-sem-atividade-fisica-em-2025-oms) — One in Four Adolescents without Physical Activity in 2025, Says WHO - [Euronews](https://euronews.com/2026/11/04/teens-arent-getting-enough-exercise-and-the-problem-has-barely-changed-in-15-years) — Teenagers worldwide aren't getting enough exercise - [Sustain Health Magazine](https://sustainhealth.fit/lifestyle/uk-teenagers-physical-activity-who-study) — Only One in Six UK Teenagers Is Active for an Hour Every Day, WHO Study Finds - [Globo](https://oglobo.globo.com/saude/noticia/2026/11/04/oms-1-em-cada-4-adolescentes-no-mundo-nao-pratica-nenhuma-atividade-fisica.ghtml) — WHO: 1 in 4 Adolescents Worldwide Does Not Practice Any Physical Activity - [udgtv](https://udgtv.com/noticias/oms-alerta-falta-de-actividad-fisica-entre-los-adolescentes/336771) — WHO Warns of Lack of Physical Activity Among Adolescents - [UN News](https://news.un.org/en/story/2026/11/1168736) — 15 years of ‘almost no progress’ in getting young people moving: WHO - [Folha de S.Paulo](https://redir.folha.com.br/redir/online/emcimadahora/rss091/*https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2026/11/oms-alerta-para-falta-de-atividade-fisica-entre-adolescentes.shtml) — WHO Warns that a Quarter of Young People Do Not Exercise - 04/11/2026 - Equilibrio E Saúde - [El Economista](https://eleconomista.com.mx/internacionales/oms-alerta-sobre-falta-actividad-fisica-adolescentes-20261104-842142.html) — WHO Warns of Lack of Physical Activity Among Adolescents ## Questions **How many adolescents worldwide are not getting enough physical activity?** Approximately 240 million young people aged 11 to 17 globally, which equates to one in four adolescents, are not getting at least 60 minutes of physical activity on any day of the week, according to a World Health Organization study. **Has there been any improvement in adolescent physical activity over the years?** No, the World Health Organization study indicates that there has been little to no progress in adolescent physical activity levels over the past 15 years. This stagnation is a significant concern for the long-term health of young people. **Are there differences in physical activity levels between boys and girls?** Yes, girls are significantly less active than boys. This disparity is noted across most of the countries analysed in the World Health Organization study, indicating a gender gap in physical activity among adolescents. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/health/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity. Please cite as: MediaBias News, "One in Four Adolescents Globally Lack Daily Physical Activity", https://mediabias.news/health/one-in-four-adolescents-globally-lack-daily-physical-activity