20.10.2025

When children prefer sitting, typing, or streaming to running around and playing, it's not just a missed opportunity for play – physical activity can also harm their health. Adopting active habits early on, on the other hand, protects the body and mind throughout life. The MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE will address this topic during MEDICA 2025.

In brief: Physical inactivity in children and adolescents

Physical inactivity can have far-reaching health consequences at any age.
It is not only an individual health problem, but also a cost driver in the healthcare system.
To counteract this, many stakeholders must work together to anchor sports and exercise programs in society.

"Physical inactivity is one of the most pressing problems of our time in sports medicine – and it starts in childhood and adolescence," says Dr. Kerstin Holze from the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). She will address this topic at the MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE.

Physical inactivity describes a condition in which children and adolescents are permanently less physically active than recommended. "According to KIGGS Wave 2 [Editor’s note: Study on the Health of Children and Adolescents in Germany], around a quarter of three- to 17-year-olds do not meet the WHO recommendations for daily exercise," says Holze.

According to the WHO, adolescents should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. Physical inactivity can be promoted by high or excessive consumption of digital media, a lack of space and opportunities for exercise, or long periods of sitting in school lessons. According to Holze, physical inactivity becomes even more consolidated in adulthood.

The consequences of physical inactivity are far-reaching

Children playing on a carousel – physical inactivty among children and adolescents; Copyright: JuiceFlair

The best way to combat physical inactivity in children and young people is to incorporate more exercise into everyday life on a personal level. Society, too, should cultivate and promote a culture of exercise and sport.

"Physical inactivity is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, certain cancers, and mental illness," says Holze.

The implications of the problem are clear: physical inactivity in children and adolescents is not only a threat to individual health. In addition, sooner or later it will also become an enormous cost factor in the healthcare system. That is why it is important for sports medicine to address the issue. At the same time, research findings must also be effectively disseminated to reach as many affected children and adolescents as possible.

Lecture: The health of our young people - what needs to change, what can we do?

Dr. Kerstin Holze at MEDICA 2025

Smiling woman with blonde hair, magenta blazer, and white blouse in front of a wall with the word mark "DOSB"; Copyright: DOSB/M. Reichel

Dr. Kerstin Holze, Vice President German Olympic Sports Federation (DOSB)

Dr. Holze will explain why a strong network of multiple allies is needed to promote physical activity for children: from schools with mandatory daily exercise times and qualified physical education, low-threshold sports club offerings, to exercise counseling and education about the importance of sports and exercise. Pediatricians, in particular, reach over 90 percent of children and adolescents and their families, including those with low socioeconomic status or a migrant background. They are therefore a crucial point of contact for raising awareness among parents, children, and adolescents about the importance of growing up active.

To the lecture

All details and tickets to the MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE

A joint effort can help combat physical inactivity

On a personal level, everyone can do more for their own physical activity, for example, by consciously incorporating physical activity into their everyday lives. Parents and other caregivers can set an example and support physical activity for their children.

However, Holze also raises the issue to a societal level: "In order to effectively reduce physical inactivity in everyday life, we need a culture in which exercise and sport are a natural part of life." Among other things, this could be achieved through daily exercise sessions in daycare centers and schools. Promoting safe and active journeys to school and work could also help, as could low-threshold sports programs.

"Exercise is not a 'nice to have', but a fundamental part of healthy growth, education, and social participation. This requires a strong network of schools, clubs, local authorities, doctors, and many other allies," says Holze.