Original ArticleEvidence Based Physical Activity for School-age Youth
Section snippets
Method
Under a contract with the Divisions of Nutrition and Physical Activity and Adolescent and School Health of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Constella Group, an expert panel was convened to review and evaluate available evidence on the influence of physical activity on several health and behavioral outcomes in youth aged 6 to 18 years. The co-chairs of the panel selected panelists on the basis of expertise in specific areas: adiposity, cardiovascular health (lipids and
Results
Evidence pertaining to the influence of physical activity on each health and behavior outcome in youth is summarized in Table I; available online at http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/jpeds.
Discussion
Discussions of the benefits of physical activity for youth are often framed in the context of the future health status of the individual. It is also important to consider physical activity as it relates to the multiple demands of childhood and adolescence associated with physical growth, biological maturation, and behavioral development. These processes vary considerably among individuals, occur simultaneously and interact, and provide the backdrop against which youth evaluate their own status
Conclusions
Increasing the level of habitual moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity in youth is a health promotion and a disease-prevention strategy. Sedentary youngsters should progress toward the recommended level of physical activity gradually. The recommendations are consistent with presently available scientific evidence and are also in general accord with recommendations promoted by governmental agencies4,311,312 and professional organizations.3,313,314
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Contributed equally to this work.