Owner of Athletic Institute Corey Green is worried. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adolescents aged 11–17 should get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day. Yet, a global study ranked Australian teens 140th out of 146 countries for meeting these guidelines, with nearly 90% failing to reach the target (Lancet, 2019). The United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada all ranked higher than Australia when it comes to teens getting the recommended daily amount of physical activity.
This is not just about fitness (or beating the other countries!)—it’s about physical health, mental wellbeing, academic performance, and lifelong habits. Here’s how schools, parents, and communities can turn this around.
Make Movement Fun and Flexible
Teens are more likely to be active if it’s enjoyable. Physical activity doesn’t have to mean competitive sport—any movement that gets the heart rate up counts.
In a school environment this can include diversifying programs to include dance, rock climbing, parkour, and circuit training alongside traditional sports. It’s incorporating active breaks during traditional lessons such as stretching or simply walking between classes to help improve focus and energy.
Utilising bush walks, beach games, outdoor challenges and other outdoor learning opportunities can also be beneficial not just for a student’s body but for their mind too.
Why it works: Enjoyment drives participation, and variety caters to different interests.
Harness Technology for Motivation
Instead of fighting screen time at home use them to encourage activity. Tracking and gamification can boost motivation, and social competition helps to keep Teens engaged.
- Fitness trackers/smartwatches: Track steps, active minutes, and progress.
- Gamified apps: Try Zombies, Run!, Just Dance Now, or VR sports for fun
- Social challenges: Create leaderboards for walking, cycling, or active streaks.
Parents as Role Models
Parents strongly influence teen habits, so lead by example. Show that you value movement and plan active family time where you go hiking, cycling or play sports together. Limit shared passive screen time and swap out 30 minutes of sitting for a walk around the block.
If your teen is involved in sports be sure to celebrate the participation of your teen not just the performance, celebrating effort can improve the consistency in which a teen interacts with a sport or activity.
Even though it doesn’t seem like it at times, teens mimic adult behaviour so it’s our job to set the example plus shared activities help to strengthen family bonds.
The Bottom Line
The WHO’s findings show that around 9 out of 10 Australian teens are not moving enough—a figure that should spark urgent action.
By making activity enjoyable, using technology to keep it engaging, and involving parents as active role models, we can reverse the trend and give young Australians a healthier, happier future.
Luckily Corey Green says there is some good news, “Schools such as yours understand how important it is, launching the Athlete Development Program over 4-years ago, in partnership with us (Athletic Institute). This is something the School should be very proud of; it’s been a great initiative.”