92% of Vietnamese schoolgirls aged 11–17 not active enough: WHO

The figure was cited by the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) on Wednesday, which warned that physical activity levels among children and adolescents in Vietnam remain worryingly low.

According to the WHO’s 2024 data, around 80 percent of adolescents aged 11 to 17 worldwide fail to meet recommended levels of physical activity, with girls generally less active than boys.

In Vietnam, most students in this age group also fall short of these recommendations, with the proportion of girls lacking sufficient physical activity reaching as high as 92 percent.

Physical activity refers to any bodily movement that requires energy expenditure, including not only sports but also daily activities such as walking, cycling, doing household chores, or climbing stairs, according to the HCDC.

The WHO advises maintaining regular physical activity to improve physical fitness, cardiovascular health, and bone strength while enhancing concentration and mental well-being.

Conversely, a sedentary lifestyle increases the risk of overweight and obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes, and may negatively affect academic performance.

The HCDC recommends that parents encourage children to spend more time outdoors and gradually build regular physical activity habits.

Health experts suggest starting with 10 to 15 minutes of physical activity per day and gradually increasing the duration.

Parents are also advised to limit children’s use of electronic devices, ensure adequate nutrition and sleep, and help them understand the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle.

Warning signs that a child may be physically inactive include spending most of their time indoors, showing little interest in outdoor play or social activities with peers, avoiding simple household tasks, and preferring electronic devices to active play.