Band 8+: In many countries, teenagers are spending less time doing physical activities and more time using digital devices. What are the causes of this problem? What solutions can be suggested to address it?

Physical activity among young people has declined in many countries. This issue creates several problems, but a number of effective measures can be taken to address it.

One major problem associated with young people becoming less physically active is a sedentary lifestyle. Young people tend to sit in front of their tablets, phones, and laptops and watch shows on television without realizing how much time they have wasted. While watching entertaining shows, they often consume junk food such as pizza, shawarma, and other pastries they ordered, which negatively affected their health. Instead of spending long hours sitting indoors, they could engage in physical activities such as football, volleyball, or jogging. Nowadays, it is extremely difficult to see young people exercising or joining any activities at school or even at their house, like playing outdoors. As a result, young people become more vulnerable to health conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. For example, obesity and diabetes are of high prevalence among young people in many countries.

One effective solution is to encourage sports activities in school and at home. Teachers should make physical activities a compulsory part of the school curriculum, since they do not exercise at home frequently. This will help students remain physically fit and improve their concentration during academic activities. On the other hand, parents should encourage outdoor activities such as playing football during their children’s free time. Activities such as table tennis, jogging, and basketball contribute to their overall well-being. Additionally, parents can organise recreational activities such as visits to parks or sports clubs during weekends. Therefore, if schools and parents encourage outdoor activities, young people are more likely to become physically fit, reducing the risk of health-related diseases. For example, many schools have added sports programmes to their curriculum, resulting in higher student participation in physical activities.

In conclusion, young people are becoming less physically fit due to sedentary lifestyles leading to health issues. However, encouraging sports activities at school and at home is the best solution to improve overall well-being.