Low physical activity reported in most young adults

A recent poll from the CS Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found that only 1 in 3 adult children are physically active, highlighting the importance of health care providers helping these patients identify helpful activities.¹

The poll asked parents about physical activity levels in their children aged 18 to 25 years. Of respondents, 26% described the young adult’s usual physical activity level as very active, 41% as moderately active, 28% as minimally active, and 5% as inactive.¹

“Physical activity has a profound impact on overall health, but many people do not maintain the same level of activity as they get older,” said Susan Woolford, MD, Mott Poll codirector.²

Types of physical activity and barriers

Fun and organized sports were more often reported as a form of physical activity among adult children aged 18 to 20 years, while those aged 21 to 25 years were more likely to engage in work-related activity.¹ Types of child physical activity included the following:

• Working out with exercise equipment in 43%
• Work-related activity in 41%
• Cardiovascular exercise in 33%
• Outdoor activity in 31%
• Active fun in 17%
• Organized sports in 14%

Barriers to physical activity in these groups included time, lack of interest, screen time, having no one to be active with, cost, and health-related limitations. These barriers were reported by 36%, 23%, 17%, 13%, 10%, and 11% of respondents, respectively.¹

Children who were minimally active or inactive more often cited lack of interest, screen time, and health-related limitations as barriers, with rates of 57%, 31%, and 20%, respectively. In comparison, these rates were 7%, 11%, and 7%, respectively, among moderately or very active patients.¹

Parental strategies and concern

Verbal encouragement was the most common method parents used to try encouraging their child to be more physically active, reported by 73%. Other methods included suggesting an activity to try by 61%, doing an activity with their child by 50%, paying for an activity by 27%, and offering a reward for being active by 18%.¹

These efforts were more often reported as not successful by parents whose children were minimally active or inactive vs those whose children were moderately or very active. Additionally, parents of these children more often worried physical activity would cause health problems or have a negative impact on their employment opportunities, with rates of 69% and 17%, respectively.¹

In comparison, these rates were 14% and 3%, respectively, among parents of kids who were moderately or very active. These parents were also slightly less likely to report a health care provider having talked with their child about physical activity in the past 2 years, with a rate of 21% vs 26% in those whose children were minimally active or inactive.¹

Opportunities for health care provider intervention

Investigators noted that physical activity levels often fluctuate throughout one’s lifetime, especially during young adulthood when individuals may need to put in extra effort to find enjoyable physical activity options. Young adults may struggle to fit physical activity into a busy schedule or limited budget.¹

To support these patients, authors highlighted the vital role of health care providers to provide information and encouragement. Only 1 in 4 parents reported that their physician addressed child physical activity, indicating a missed opportunity to help young adults identify physical activities that are individualized to their needs.¹

“Encouragement alone is not always enough,” said Woolford.² “Finding activities that are enjoyable and accessible is key to helping young adults build lasting habits especially if activities can be linked to things they value.”

References

1. Helping young adults stay active. CS Mott Children’s Hospital. April 20, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://mottpoll.org/reports/helping-young-adults-stay-active
2. 1 in 3 parents say their young adult children don’t get enough physical activity. News release. University of Michigan. April 20, 2026. Accessed April 21, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1123884