Optimization of Physical Activity among Children and Adolescents in the Campaign to End Childhood Obesity

Abstract

The paper provides a review of current regulatory documents of international organizations, which deals with the organizational aspects of optimizing physical activity among children. It is shown that according to the World Health Organization (WHO; 2015), the major causes of death are cardiovascular diseases and their complications, the formation of which is most strongly associated with obesity, which has its roots in childhood. The global WHO recommendations for physical activity to promote health (2010) and the guidelines of the American Heart Association regarding the organization of physical activity among children (2014) are provided. The criteria of selecting the type of physical activity for children and adolescents according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2011) are presented. The results of the WHO working group activity to end childhood obesity (2015) were analyzed. The need for a multisectoral government, educational and social activities was stressed.

Keywords

• physical activity
• children
• prevention
• cardiovascular health.