00:00Children and adolescents across Europe are suffering a widespread decline in physical fitness,
00:05with researchers warning that critical opportunities for youth health are being lost.
00:10A major study by the University of Zaragoza analyzed more than 417,000 young people aged 6 to 16
00:16across 20 European nations between 1965 and 2023.
00:22Looking closer at specific health indicators,
00:24researchers identified a steady deterioration in upper body strength since the 1970s,
00:31falling lower body strength since the 1980s,
00:34and a sharp drop in flexibility that accelerated after 2000.
00:39Body fat levels have also steadily increased across the population over recent decades.
00:44This sharp physical decline comes despite clear guidance from health authorities.
00:49The World Health Organization recommends at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise daily
00:54along with muscle-strengthening activities three times a week.
00:58However, more than 75% of European adolescents fail to meet these basic targets,
01:04increasing long-term health risks.
01:06Health officials stress that physical inactivity directly accounts for 9% of premature deaths
01:12and up to 10% of major cancer cases globally.
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