《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2022, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (12): 1390-1399.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2022.12.003

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Physical activity and school health promotion services for children and adolescents in school settings: WHO policy framework and content analysis

XU Jianrong,CHEN Gang()   

  1. School of Physical Education and Sport Sciences/Exercise Rehabilitation Research Center, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215021, China
  • Received:2022-12-01 Published:2022-12-25 Online:2023-01-10
  • Contact: CHEN Gang E-mail:1006180930@qq.com
  • Supported by:
    Ministry of Education Humanities Social Sciences Research Project(20YJA890001);National Social Science Foundation of China(19BTY078)

Abstract:

Objective To systematically analyze the policies of children and adolescents in schools for physical activity and health-promoting schools, and promote the development of comprehensive health services and the integration of physical activity in school scenarios.

Methods To analyze the policy framework and core content related to children's physical activity and health promotion comprehensive services in the school context by using the methods of policy research and content analysis based on the theory of the six components of the World Health Organization (WHO) health service system. The key policy documents in the field of physical activity include the Global Action Plan for Physical Activity 2018-2030: Strengthening Physical Activity for a Healthy World; WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour; A Technical Package for Physical Activityand Physical Activity Strategy in the WHO European Region. The key documents in the field of health-promoting schools include the WHO Guidelines on School Health Services; Making Every School a Health-Promoting School: Global Standards and Indicators;and Making Every School a Health-Promoting School: Implementation Guidelines. Policy documents on promoting physical activity in school contexts include Promoting Physical Activity through Schools: A Policy Brief and Promoting Physical Activity through Schools: A Toolkit.

Results In the school context, physical activity is integrated into school health services through the construction of health-promoting school methods, aiming to use physical activity as a health and development strategy, and use interventions that combine education and sports to accelerate the achievement of children's and adolescents' health goals and help them obtain more health benefits. In the field of leadership and governance, it is necessary to improve the policy framework and strengthen the governance system and governance capacity; establish multi-disciplinary partnerships; strengthen publicity and promotion to create the atmosphere. In the aspect of financing, it is necessary to ensure sufficient funds, formulate financing mechanisms, and provide financial incentives or subsidies. In terms of human resources, it is necessary to provide training in quality physical education, adopt an interdepartmental approach, and involve different professionals in the design of physical education courses. In the feild of service delivery, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive and high-quality school physical activity service provision system. In terms of school environment and facilities, we will provide infrastructure suitable for physical activity and create a favorable physical activity environment. In terms of health monitoring and evaluation system, it is necessary to establish appropriate monitoring mechanisms, regular report on progress and enhance accountability. The implementation path of promoting physical activity through schools mainly involves building a good school physical activity environment, adopting a life-cycle and inclusive physical activity approach, close collaboration of schools, communities and parents, and implementing multi-field physical activity courses.

Conclusion School health service is an important measure to promote children's health and achieve the health goals of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4. Physical activity is a necessary part of school health services. A series of policy documents issued by WHO are mainly divided into three categories: physical activity, health-promoting schools and physical activity promotion in school settings. The core of promoting physical activity for children and adolescents in the school context is to integrate physical activity into health-promoting school health service system through education and sports means, build a complete health promotion school service system, adopt a full life cycle and inclusive physical activity method, close collaboration of schools, communities and parents, and implement multi-field physical activity curriculum methods to promote the healthy development of children and adolescents. To integrate physical activity into the school health service system, it is necessary to strengthen school health leadership and governance, improve school infrastructure financing, develop school health human resources, develop school-based health-related health technologies and build an environment and equipment and facilities suitable for physical activity, and establish a school health service monitoring and evaluation information system that includes physical activity.

Key words: physical activity, health-promoting school, children, adolescents, health

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