Promoting Positive Youth Development Trough Physical Activity

“Be active, healthy, and happy!” So communicates the message on the cover of the recently published Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Specific guidelines for children and adolescents are driven by continuing evidence that less than 50% of youth are engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity levels sufficient enough to result in healthy outcomes. Thus, recommendations for youth 6 to 17 years old suggest 60 or more minutes of physical activity daily including aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening activities—a dosage that has shown positive health outcomes such as lower risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, bone disease, and overweight/obesity.