Promotion of Physical Activity in the Child and Adolescent Population

Abstract

The degree of compliance with the minimum physical activity recommendations is very low in the child and adolescent population in Spain. In order to promote physical activity in the target population it is necessary to understand the reasons why a high percentage of children and adolescents are “inactive.” At present, approaches with a more ecological perspective are being applied to analyse the determinants of the physical activity pattern of this population. The behaviour of the child and adolescent population is influenced by a wide range of factors, some of them modifiable. When promoting physical activity in this age group, both the motivations and aspects that discourage this population must be taken into account. Changing the behaviour of an individual or a population requires multiple and varied efforts. Society as a whole must be involved in this endeavour.