In summary As described above, Japan and France are actively implementing strategies to promote healthier lifestyles among children and adolescents, focusing on enjoyable physical activities and comprehensive educational reforms. Using each country’s well-being strategies as references might be a big clue to improving the overall well-being and physical fitness of their youth populations.14 To further expand these efforts leading up to the Paris Olympics 2024, initiatives like “Pour une France en forme” involve campaigns supported by a group of experts, the Ministry of National Education, the National Sports Agency, and 154 professional athletes. However, there are some challenges, such as difficulty to integrate these initiatives into existing curriculums, and insufficient space for all students to exercise. French government started to support facilities include distributing equipment like balls to schools, however, significant regional differences in access to large facilities such as swimming pools and playgrounds are observed France: Now, what about the situation in France? Surprisingly, it appears that among children aged 6-11, 92% of girls and 82% of boys do not engage in sufficient physical activity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), less than 11.5% of 11-14-year-olds and less than 43% of 15-17-year-olds meet the recommended levels of physical activity. There is also a gender disparity, with over twice as many boys (63%) aged 15-17 meeting sufficient physical activity levels compared to girls (24%). During the COVID-19 pandemic in central France, a survey indicated a presumed 30% decline in both motor skills and physical abilities. Shockingly, in a WHO survey on physical activity, France ranked 119th out of 146 countries, highlighting the need for intervention. Furthermore, statistics from the French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies revealed that one in four people is overweight (2016-2017), and more than 70% of children exceed the recommended screen time (2 hours), with 10% spending over 6 hours per day. To live healthier lives Let’s explore how both countries are tackling these issues. Japan: Let’s highlight some successful cases where improvements in students’ awareness and physical fitness have been achieved through educational reforms. These are examples cited from documents compiled by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. One approach emphasizes the enjoyment and pleasure of physical activity rather than just focusing on the ability to perform. For instance, some schools integrate sports days as part of PE classes, encouraging collaborative efforts toward achieving goals. Some other schools organize fitness enhancement weeks as enjoyable events. These initiatives help students naturally associate exercise with fun and enjoyment. One of the other main initiatives is to use learning cards for reflection which also showed positive outcomes. Since students write “things learned today” and “things that improved,” students’ growth becomes visible. This allows students to experience the joy of accomplishment. France: Following the 2020 Olympics, France introduced a project called “Olympic and Paralympic Week.” During this week, schools provide 30 minutes of exercise daily for children. According to the French government, the number of participating schools increased from 36,000 in 2022 to 70,000 in 2023.
元のページ ../index.html#15