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Children are fit and active – fact or fiction?

Neil Armstrong (Professor of Paediatric Physiology and the Head of School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK. E‐mail: N. Armstrong@exeter.ac.uk)

Health Education

ISSN: 0965-4283

Article publication date: 1 December 2004

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Abstract

This paper focuses on the importance of appropriate physical activity during childhood and adolescence. It notes that the effect of regular physical activity in improving blood lipid profile, reducing high blood pressure, facilitating blood glucose control, countering obesity, retarding osteoporosis and promoting psychological well‐being is evidence‐based and has been extensively documented. It also asserts that the successful promotion of physical activity requires a contribution from environmental, behavioural, social, cultural, legislative and financial factors, and notes that health care professionals have a high credibility among children and adolescents, and that they are well placed to help meet this challenge.

Keywords

Citation

Armstrong, N. (2004), "Children are fit and active – fact or fiction?", Health Education, Vol. 104 No. 6, pp. 333-335. https://doi.org/10.1108/09654280410564097

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2004, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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