ADOLESCENCE

Healthy Lifestyles

By participating in physical activity (e.g., biking, hiking, playing basketball) with their adolescents, parents can emphasize the importance of regular physical activity and show their adolescents that physical activity can be fun. Parents' encouragement to be physically active may increase the adolescent's activity level.

Teachers also play an important role in promoting physical activity in adolescents. Physical education should be provided at school every day, and enjoyable activities should be offered.

Adolescents spend a lot of time with their friends, and peer influence and group conformity are important. Because much of their physical activity occurs in group settings, adolescents' participation in physical activity may be influenced by peers.

Some common chronic diseases of adulthood can be prevented or delayed if adolescents develop a physically active lifestyle and continue to be physically active as adults.6 Although adolescents may understand the importance of physical activity, most spend little time thinking about their future health, especially their health in older adulthood.2

Many types of physical activities provide health benefits. Although aerobic activities (e.g., running, biking), which increase maximum oxygen intake, were emphasized in the past, health professionals have learned that moderate physical activity also provides health benefits. Competitive sports appeal to some adolescents, but others enjoy noncompetitive activities (e.g., walking, running, swimming, biking, dancing) that provide variety and opportunities for socialization and success. The best physical activities are those that adolescents enjoy.3

BFPAAD_PRR30 Only about two-thirds of males and one-half of females participate in the recommended amount of moderate physical activity (e.g., 15 minutes of running, 30 minutes of brisk walking, 45 minutes of playing volleyball).7 In addition, many adolescents become less active as they approach adulthood.7 More evidence-based research is needed on how to increase physical activity during adolescence or how to ensure that those who are physically active in adolescence remain so in adulthood.3,4,6 Ideally, adolescents will discover physical activities that they will continue to enjoy as adults.

Building Partnerships

Partnerships among health professionals, families, and communities are essential for ensuring that families receive guidance on physical activity. Health professionals need to give adolescents and parents the opportunity to discuss physical activity issues and concerns, and need to identify and contact community resources to help parents promote physical activity in their adolescents. Communities need to provide programs and safe places for adolescents to participate in physical activity.

Strengths, and Issues and Concerns

During health supervision visits, health professionals should emphasize the physical activity strengths of the adolescent, family, and community (Table 13) and address any physical activity issues and concerns (Table 14).

Table 13. Physical Activity Strengths During Adolescence

Adolescent	Family	Community
Participates in physical activity Develops a positive attitude toward physical activity Enjoys physical activity Is aware of and has opportunities to participate in physical activity Wants to improve motor skills Feels competent when participating in physical activity Takes responsibility for own health Understands the importance of physical activity Has positive role models for physical activity	Encourages the adolescent to participate in physical activity Provides opportunities for the adolescent to participate in physical activity Ensures that the adolescent uses appropriate safety equipment (e.g., helmet, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads) during physical activity Participates in physical activity with the adolescent Provides a positive role model by participating in physical activity	Promotes physical activity Provides opportunities for adolescents to participate in physical activity Maintains policies (e.g., preservation of green space) and provides environmental support (e.g., well-maintained sidewalks, bicycle racks outside public facilities) that promote physical activity Provides safe environments for indoor and outdoor physical activity (e.g., walking and biking paths, playgrounds, parks, recreation centers) Provides support for families of adolescents with special health care needs

Table 14. Physical Activity Issues and Concerns During Adolescence

Adolescent	Family	Community
Has health problems Experiences motor skill or developmental delays Lacks opportunities to participate in physical activity Lacks friends or siblings to be physically active with Does not enjoy physical activity Does not feel competent when participating in physical activity Is embarrassed about appearance or lack of coordination Is shy or fearful of physical activity Has had unsuccessful or unpleasant experiences with physical activity Is more interested in sedentary behaviors (e.g., watching television and videotapes; playing computer games)	Does not encourage the adolescent to participate in physical activity Does not advocate for physical education in schools Does not provide positive role model by participating in physical activity Does not participate in physical activity with the adolescent Has health problems that affect the amount of time spent with the adolescent Has a work schedule or other commitments that reduce the amount of time spent with the adolescent Lacks space or equipment for physical activity	Lacks programs that promote physical activity in adolescents Lacks safe environments for indoor and outdoor physical activity (e.g., walking and biking paths, playgrounds, parks, recreation centers) Lacks policies (e.g., preservation of green space) and does not provide environmental support (e.g., well-maintained sidewalks, bicycle racks outside public facilities) that promote physical activity Does not provide support for families of adolescents with special health care needs

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