Implications and Recommendations Physical activity, particularly regular vigorous exercise, can make a major contribution to general health, energy, and an overall sense of well-being. Although most adolescents reported some aerobic and other exercise, the decline in physical activity levels with increasing grade level suggests that many young people are not maintaining the exercise patterns that will lead to their health as adults. It is also troubling that participation in physical education and on sports teams has declined so sharply over the past few years. Girls and adolescents in urban areas appear to be particularly vulnerable to developing sedentary rather than active lifestyles. School should support the development of healthy patterns of physical activity by ensuring that time is allotted in the school schedule for physical education, and that all students have the opportunity to participate in those classes and in other athletic activities.
Communities can help as well by promoting physically active recreation activities for adolescents.