Abstract
The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of international trends in the promotion of physical activity (PA) among all children and adolescents, including those with disabilities, as well as the current situation in Japan. Today, efforts are being made worldwide to address the prevalence of physical inactivity among children, adolescents, and adults. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which pledge to "Leave no one behind," can serve as a conceptual base for such efforts. The World Health Organization (WHO)’s action plans and guidelines can contribute to the principles and goals of the SDGs. The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance is working on a global scale for the promotion and surveillance of PA in all children and adolescents. Although several countries have reported data for children and adolescents with disabilities and/or chronic diseases since 2016, developing a comprehensive system to monitor the national and international situation is still necessary. In Japan, existing surveys on PA of children and adolescents have consistently focused on organized sports participation and there is little data on overall PA. Children and adolescents with disabilities are generally thought to be less likely to participate in organized sports when compared to able-bodied people of the same age, and the variety of sports they play can be limited. Since the WHO recommends the same values for PA irrespective of disability status, it is necessary to promote not only organized sports participation but also the overall PA among children and adolescents with disabilities.
