The Positive Effects of Active Mobility on Health with a Focus on Children’s and Youth Mobility

Blank, Stefanie and Hodzic-Srndic, Natasa and Kammer, Julia (2023) The Positive Effects of Active Mobility on Health with a Focus on Children’s and Youth Mobility. LET IT GROW, LET US PLAN, LET IT GROW. Nature-based Solutions for Sustainable Resilient Smart Green and Blue Cities. Proceedings of REAL CORP 2023, 28th International Conference on Urban Development, Regional Planning and Information Society. pp. 1065-1069. ISSN 2521-3938

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Abstract

The "Health Targets Austria" from 2012 define, among other things, an increase in healthy life years in Austria. These are the years of our lives that we do not spend in illness. According to Eurostat, the average EU citizen over the age of 65 still has 10.3 healthy years of life. In comparison, Austria has only 7.7 healthy years. Now, a report by the Austrian Court of Audit has criticized the fact that this target has not been met because the number of healthy years of life from the age of 65 is falling significantly despite various measures that have been taken to date. Healthy life years are closely related to a lack of physical activity. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150 minutes of moderately intensive exercise per week. In Austria, only about half of adults meet these recommendations. According to the WHO, children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 17 should engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. Encouraging in active mobility during young ages holds tremendous potential for preventing later diseases associated with physical inactivity. In Austria, one of the most frequent causes of death are cardiovascular diseases. These are closely linked to a lack of physical activity. Research shows, the positive effects on personal health are a decisive motivator to achieve a lasting change in behaviour towards active mobility. Sufficient physical activity in old age has an enormous impact on extending "quality years" and can help prevent dementia. In addition, active mobility prevents obesity, osteoporosis and various types of cancer. Active mobility thus also reduces the likelihood of belonging to one of the risk groups mentioned above. In addition, the developments in the choice of means of transport in recent decades from active mobility to passive jeopardize the promotion of active forms of mobility. Especially the increase of so-called "parent cabs" and the reduction of free play in the residential environment due to the increased traffic volume contribute to this. The increased traffic volume also causes a higher health burden due to noise and pollutants. Among the factors that can influence health is physical activity, which has a positive effect on the physical and psychological development of children and adolescents. As an area of physical activity, active mobility also plays an important role alongside sport in achieving a health effect. Active mobility in everyday life (walking or cycling) is the key to changing this. Active mobility is also conducive to healthy sleep patterns (sufficient sleep and quality of sleep) and subsequently has a positive effect on subjectively perceived well-being and stress levels. Other positive effects of active mobility include a better attention span compared to peers with little to no physical activity. This also results in better school performance among children and adolescents who are physically active. These are just a few reasons why it is important to promote active forms of mobility among children and adolescents.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	physical activity, adolescents, children, health, active mobility
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor H Social Sciences > HE Transportation and Communications R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Depositing User:	REAL CORP Administrator
Date Deposited:	02 Oct 2023 20:04
Last Modified:	04 Oct 2023 17:45
URI:	http://repository.corp.at/id/eprint/989

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