The State of Children’s Physical Activity in Spain 2024: Statistics and Analysis
According to the 2024 National Physical Activity Report for Spain, published by the WHO, children’s
physical activity levels in Spain need improvement. While 69% of the total population engages in some
form of physical activity, this rate is lower among children and adolescents, indicating a pressing need
for action.
Analysis of Children’s Physical Activity Statistics in Spain
- Declining Activity Levels Among Children Aged 6 to 9: Only 41% of children in this age group
engage in sufficient physical activity, highlighting that more than half of them need increased
movement and exercise. - Physical Activity Levels Among Adolescents Aged 15 to 24: The data shows that 57.5% of
adolescents in this age range meet the recommended activity levels. However, this percentage
remains lower compared to other developed countries. - Investment in Sports and Its Impact: Spain allocates 1.2% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
to sports, which reflects the national importance of physical activity. Despite this, more support
programs are needed to encourage children to adopt active lifestyles. - Physical Activity and Life Expectancy: The average life expectancy in Spain is 80.5 years for men
and 85.9 years for women. Encouraging children to engage in regular physical activity can
contribute significantly to maintaining these high life expectancy levels in the future.
Recommended Physical Activity by Age Group
Children Under 5 Years
At least 180 minutes of daily physical activity, including active play and interactive movements.
Children Aged 5 to 17 Years
A minimum of 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day.
Schools in Spain are advised to implement 2.5 to 3 hours of physical education per week in
their curricula.
Challenges in Increasing Children’s Physical Activity Lack of Sports Infrastructure in Schools: Many schools in Spain still do not have comprehensive sports programs.
Rising Childhood Obesity Rates: Data shows that 37% of individuals over 55 years old in Spain
do not engage in enough physical activity, emphasizing the importance of establishing healthy
habits from childhood.
Strategies to Promote Physical Activity in Children
Developing Playgrounds and Sports Facilities such as Kids Arena, which provides a safe and
engaging environment for children to stay active.
Increasing Physical Education Hours in Schools and introducing structured activity programs.
Educating Parents and Encouraging Family-Based Activities, such as walking, hiking, and group
sports.
National Programs Promoting Children’s Physical Activity
Spain has implemented initiatives such as the National Strategy for Nutrition and Physical Activity and the Physical Activity Prescription Program to counteract declining physical activity levels among
children.
Considering these statistics and findings, it is essential to encourage children to adopt an active lifestyle from an early age. Kids Arena is committed to providing Active Fun, offering children opportunities to engage in diverse physical activities that keep them entertained while promoting a healthy way of life.
For more information and access to engaging sports programs, visit Kids Arena!
References:
WHO – 2024 National Physical Activity Report for Spain: Source Link
ALADINO Study, 2019: Full Report
Eurostat Data: View Statistics
