The physical inactivity of children and young people is the subject of ongoing debate in many European countries. Despite all the research showing the dangers of choosing entertainment from screens over playing and moving, Europe’s young people have never been so immobile.
In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) examined as many as 1.7 million children and adolescents from around the world, and the results were frightening: 80 percent weren’t moving enough. The WHO has since set a worldwide goal to inspire adults and adolescents to reduce physical inactivity by 10 percent by 2025 and 15 percent by 2030 – this is from the 2010 baseline. It estimates that from 2020 to 2030, physical inactivity will cost public healthcare about $300 billion – or $27 billion per year – if levels of physical inactivity are not reduced.
The EU is aware of this inactivity among the young and seeks to encourage physical activity in various ways. One of its major initiatives is the European Week of Sport, held since 2015. This year it falls on Sept. 23-30. The event has been expanding steadily, encouraging ever more Europeans to embrace a healthy and active lifestyle. The 2015 edition had five million participants and 7,000 events, whereas the 2018 edition drew a staggering 12 million participants to take part in 48,500 events.
This year about 20 ambassadors for the Week, working from their home countries, will be helping to reach the young in different ways. Among them are Swedish Olympic swimmer and world champion Therese Alshammar.
The EU’s official page for the Week has a lot more information.
In 2024, the European Week of Sport will focus on inclusion, well-being and belonging. By ”inclusion,” the EU means that sport is for everybody, not just for athletes. Young people can participate regardless of their fitness level, ability, background, gender, age, religion, ethnicity, education or sexual orientation.
“Well-being” is a step toward happiness because sport boosts self-esteem and improves health. When you play sports, you look and feel good.
“Belonging,” finally, means community. Sport offers life opportunities and brings generations together. Everyone maintains individuality while sharing the EU and Olympic values of kindness, respect and solidarity. Physical activity is a one-way ticket to socialization and love for a more sustainable existence on both social and environmental levels.
