Younger children and teens often have built-in opportunities to stay active through physical education classes, sports, and extracurricular activities.
But once you graduate from high school, these structured options often disappear.
And national polls suggest many young people are struggling to stay active during this transition.
One in three parents say their children between the ages of 18 and 25 are rarely or inactive, according to the University of Michigan Health Center CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health.
“Physical activity has a huge impact on overall health, but many people are unable to maintain the same level of activity as they age,” said Mott Paul Co-Director and Mott Pediatrician Susan Woolford, M.D.
“Adolescence can be a particularly difficult time, especially as structured opportunities such as sports and physical education classes are lost. After high school, young people often need to make an extra effort to find and make time for activities they enjoy.”
Barriers to staying active
Parents cite several reasons why their adult children aren’t getting enough exercise. Some of the most common barriers include lack of time, lack of interest, screen time and games. Few parents cite cost, lack of training partners, or health limitations.
Parents of active or inactive youth were far more likely to cite lack of interest and screen use as major challenges.
Parents say interest is a big barrier. If young people don’t find physical activity enjoyable, they’re much less likely to make it part of their daily routine. ”
Susan Woolford, Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan
Activity patterns change with age
The nationally representative report is based on responses from 1,550 parents with at least one child between the ages of 18 and 25 surveyed in February.
Parents say young adults between the ages of 18 and 20 are more likely to participate in organized sports and social activities, such as dancing and skating. People over the age of 21 are more likely to rely on gym training and work-related physical activity.
“This change may reflect a shift from social to more independent forms of activity,” Woolford said. “Social connections can make physical activity more enjoyable and help you stay active longer.”
Many parents report trying to encourage their young adult children to be more active. Common strategies include verbal encouragement, suggesting activities, working out together, and sometimes paying for the program or offering incentives.
However, parents of less active youth are more likely to say that their efforts are less successful.
“Encouragement alone is not always enough,” Woolford says. “Finding fun and accessible activities is key to helping young people build lasting habits, especially when the activities are tied to something they value.”
Woolford said a peer approach could make a difference. Working together increases their sense of responsibility, she says, while also making the experience more social and rewarding.
Develop healthy habits for the future
Parents of inactive young people tend to worry about the long-term health effects and even the potential impact on employment. However, only about 1 in 4 parents say their health care provider has discussed physical activity with their child in recent years.
Woolford says that means a missed opportunity. Health care providers play an important role in helping young people, especially those with health concerns, find safe and appropriate ways to remain active.
She says adolescence is a critical time for establishing lifelong health habits.
“A common challenge for young people is maintaining a healthy lifestyle as they become more independent,” Woolford says. “For some, that means fitting exercise into a busy schedule or limited budget. For others, it means building a routine.”
“Parents can still play an important role during this transition,” she added. “The habits formed at this stage can shape long-term health and well-being.”
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Michigan Medicine – University of Michigan
