# Teens worldwide lack exercise, especially girls

> Global data shows one in four teens don't meet WHO's daily exercise goal, with girls lagging behind.
- Title: Teens worldwide lack exercise, especially girls · NPR
- Summary: Global data shows one in four teens don't meet WHO's daily exercise goal, with girls lagging behind.
- Keywords: teens, exercise, girls, physical activity, lancet global health, adolescents, gender gap, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/11/05/nx-s1-6027635/exercise-workout-teenagers-adolescents-gender-gap
- Published: 2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: who, teens, exercise, girls, physical activity, lancet global health, adolescents, gender gap, news
## WHO exercise recommendation
The World Health Organization recommends adolescents spend at least one hour daily on moderate-to-vigorous exercise.
## Global teen activity levels
Only 14% of adolescents worldwide report getting 60 minutes of exercise daily, with an average of less than three active days weekly.
## Gender gap in activity
Girls report 11% daily activity versus 17% for boys, with girls having 2.4 versus 3 weekly active days.
## Low-income countries
Adolescents in low- and middle-income countries show lower activity levels than wealthier Western counterparts.
## Opportunity barriers
In many low-income countries, environmental factors restrict physical activity opportunities for adolescents.
## Urban challenges
Urban areas often have unsafe environments for walking, reducing outdoor physical activity for teens.
## Screen time impact
After school, teens often spend time watching screens instead of engaging in physical activity.
## Cultural barriers
In many places, cultural taboos prevent girls from engaging in physical activity during puberty.
## Solutions needed
Experts suggest redesigning cities and increasing school-based physical activity programs to improve teen exercise habits.
## Key takeaway

New WHO study reveals 3 million teens worldwide get less than 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise weekly, with girls reporting even lower activity levels than boys.