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Current research
Here, we have compiled facts and research on children's and adolescents' health habits. We particularly highlight scientific reports and articles related to the school world and how physical activity affects learning. Feel free to give tips. About current research that you think we should pay attention to!
Almost nine out of ten children in Sweden live unhealthily.
For the second year, Generation PEP is releasing its comprehensive review of children's and young people's health in Sweden. The results, based on the surveyed group, show, among other things, that:
- Only 14 percent exercise enough and eat enough of what's good for the body. Only two out of ten reach the recommended amount of physical activity. Teenage girls are doing the worst.
- Sitting still in front of the screen takes up a lot of time, not least among young people. Almost one in four teenagers spends five hours or more in front of a screen daily.
- Adults are important role models for both physical activity and eating habits. Children whose guardians are not physically active are more likely to be inactive themselves.
The report concludes that healthy exercise and dietary habits strengthen our immune system and reduce the risk of a range of ailments later in life, such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, society needs to take the study's findings seriously.
Inactive most of their waking hours
Report from the Public Health Agency of Sweden, 2019
The report describes the movement patterns of Swedish children and young people, based on 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds who wore activity monitors for one week. The results show, among other things, that:
- Children and young people are inactive for most of their waking hours, regardless of the day of the week, i.e., they stand or move very little.
- Inactivity increases with age, by almost 10 percent from ages 11 to 15, and boys are more active than girls of the same age.
- School days contribute approximately 35 percent of the week's total physical activity at moderate and high intensity levels.
- Those experiencing high school stress are more inactive, both overall and during school hours.
In summary, it is concluded that activity has positive health effects for the individual, both physically and mentally, and can simultaneously contribute to leveling out health differences between different groups. It is therefore important to stimulate and provide the conditions for more physical activity among children and young people, not least among adolescents and girls.
Swedish children move the least in the Nordic region
Study by the Nordic Council of Ministers, 2011-2014
The study collected and analyzed a large amount of data on diet and physical activity in the Nordic countries during the period 2011-2014. Regarding physical activity in children, it was found that:
- Overall, six out of ten are classified as inactive, with 64 percent of girls and 54 percent of boys. No major differences were measured between the years.
- The largest share of active children is in active Finland, and the smallest share is in Sweden.
- A good deal more than one in seven spends more than four hours a day (outside of school time) in front of a screen, and more boys than girls.
The relationship between physical activity and school performance
Exercise has positive effects on the brain
A systematic review of international literature and studies on physical activity and school performance. The results indicate that:
- Physical activity and sports are good for children's general health and are linked to health later in life.
- There are connections between physical activity and mental well-being, such as perceived quality of life and general mood.
- There is increasing evidence that physical activity affects brain function and cognition, thereby positively impacting learning. This is because the brain receives more blood and oxygen, norepinephrine and endorphin levels are affected, resulting in reduced stress and improved mood, and finally, the growth of new nerve cells is stimulated.
In addition to purely physical and chemical effects, the literature shows that physical activity improves children's classroom behavior as they find it easier to concentrate.
Seven minutes of interval training improves memory
Study published in Research on Learning and Teaching, 2019
The study was conducted on 175 seventh-grade students in the city of Helsingborg. For five months, all math lessons in five out of ten groups began with seven minutes of heart-rate-raising exercises. The results indicated better concentration and working memory compared to the control group. Students of different genders and performance levels were affected in the same way. There was also no difference in how students from different school contexts were affected by the physical activity.
Children with ADHD need to move during learning.
Study published in the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology, 2018
In the study, 62 boys between 8 and 12 years old were tested, half of whom had ADHD. The test subjects were shown two short films; a Star Wars episode and a math instructional video. Both groups watched Star Wars attentively, but the ADHD group had difficulty sitting still during the math film. The study's conclusions include:
- The cognitive movement pattern is triggered by challenging tasks in children with ADHD.
- It's not that children lack motivation in school, but that these children need to move when they use executive functions.
- Movement during learning helps children with ADHD stay alert and focused.
Movement – an educational tool for neuropsychiatric functional disabilities
Essay at Stockholm University, 2017
The research question of this paper is whether daily physical activity in the classroom should be used as a special education tool for students with neuropsychiatric disabilities. The students in the study reported, among other things, a perceived increase in concentration (22%), a calmer work environment (28%), and increased attention (39%). Half of the students reported finding it easier to complete assignments. Based on the teachers’ assessments, the most noticeable changes were improved concentration and the completion of assignments. The teachers also observed joy and increased self-confidence, as well as less fatigue during the afternoons.
Smarter from training
Article in the magazine Student Health, 2018
The article is based on various scientific studies and points out that physical activity not only contributes to better health but also improves cognitive functions such as concentration and memory. It also states that regular exercise reduces sensitivity to stress and counteracts low mood and depression.
Benefits of standing up
Standing up reduces the risk of illness.
Study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2019
The scientific question in the study is whether standing instead of sitting can improve adolescents' cardio-metabolic health. According to the results, biomarkers decreased among examined teenage boys, among other findings, independent of other physical activity.
Children should not sit still.
New York Times article based on scientific studies about physical activity and learning, 2017
The article highlights studies that point to a positive correlation between activity and learning, and illustrates how different schools have incorporated activity-based learning into their teaching.
Sedentary behavior affects the temporal lobe
Scientific study published in Plos One, 2018
The study investigated the relationship between sedentary behavior and physical activity, and the thickness of the temporal lobe, which is involved in memory formation. It shows, among other things, a correlation between time spent sedentary and reduced thickness in certain parts of the lobe. However, physical exercise was not correlated with thickness, suggesting that a running session or similar cannot compensate for the damage caused by prolonged sedentary behavior.