A recently published international report has found that nearly half a billion adolescents will be overweight or obese by 2030, with a billion at risk of preventable poor health by the same year.
2nd July 2025
The report by the Lancet commission on adolescent health and wellbeing, which comprehensively analysed the global data, predicts that 464 million young people will be overweight or obese worldwide in just five years’ time, a rise of 143 million from 10 years ago.
What’s more, the problem disproportionately affects high-income nations.
The study also reveals that, again by 2030, at least 50% of the world’s young people aged between 10 and 24 would be living in countries where preventable health issues, from poor nutrition and depression, pose a ‘daily threat to their wellbeing, health and life chances’. Indeed, the authors of the study went as far as to warn that health in young people had reached a ‘tipping point’.
Interestingly, the report comes at a time when adolescent mortality has decreased by more than 25% over the last 20 years.
It also indicates a ‘significant decline’ in young people’s mental health. However, progress had been made in some areas, including alcohol and illegal drug consumption, plus in numbers of young people not in education, work or training.
But the research added that progress had been slowed by the pandemic and what the authors described as a ‘chronic lack of funding’.
Co-chair of the Lancet commission Prof Sarah Baird, of George Washington University, commented: “The health and wellbeing of adolescents worldwide is at a tipping point. Investing in the health and wellbeing of young people is crucial for safeguarding our collective future”.
In the UK, roughly 15% of children aged up to 15 were obese in 2022, and more than a quarter (27%) either overweight or obese, claimed NHS England Digital. And health campaigners have been disappointed that, in May 2025, ministers delayed bringing in a ban on junk food ads aimed at children until next year.
We all know that movement, exercise, sports and physical activity are key weapons in the battle against being overweight or obese. That’s why the UK government recommends that, up to the age of 18, youngsters do a minimum of one hour’s moderate-to-vigorous activity daily. Additionally, this should include aerobic and strength-building exercises.
But it can be hard to encourage working out in a screen-bound age in which every minute of a young person’s day can seem to be taken up with school and homework. A report from just over a year ago found that daily exercise was ‘largely disappearing from young people’s lives’. Worryingly, the data placed England and Wales near the bottom of a global league table recording how much children moved.
Outdoor gyms in schools can teach pupils about good habits for life when it comes to physical activity, while providing a number of other benefits, from improved sleep and better mental health to enhanced confidence and self-esteem.
Meanwhile, the obvious advantages to kids’ physical health include a reduced risk of serious illnesses such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease later in life.
Fresh Air Fitness is an award-winning supplier of outdoor gym equipment for schools and other clients including parks and local councils.
Our equipment helps adolescents to build muscular and cardiovascular strength, minimising levels of obesity. Kids also develop balance, agility, motor skills and coordination, while our products offer options for moderate or vigorous workouts. Equally, they develop communication and social skills since many of our pieces are for two users or more.
An outside gym is a great way of involving all children in PE, even those who may be reluctant to exercise or who have traditionally found it difficult to take part in sessions. It’s entirely non-competitive, plus we have equipment for SEN pupils. There’s also great versatility – students can use the gym in their own time, e.g. at lunch or break times, after school, or as part of structured lessons. And once they have the confidence in using them at school, they’ll be confident in using them in their local parks as adults.
We’ll be with you every step of the way from initial site inspection through design and installation to after-care and can also advise on funding. Browse our outdoor fitness equipment here – they’re all designed for all abilities and aimed at providing a full-body workout.
Get in touch today to learn more about how we could transform activity levels among young people at your school or other community.
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