Swedish Family Program Tackles Declining Youth Physical Activity

In Sweden, a troubling trend shows that only 20% of young people meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, making them less active than 85-year-olds. In response, a family-centered program initiated by En Frisk Generation has been expanded to help reverse this decline by promoting active lifestyles among children and their families.

The initiative operates in 23 locations nationwide, including prominent sites in Skåne such as two in Helsingborg and three in Malmö, chosen in collaboration with local municipalities. Participants attend twice-weekly sessions for a full year that feature sports and outdoor activities, inviting local sports clubs to introduce various activities. Encouragingly, about half of the children continue with a leisure activity after the program ends.

Central to the program is not only physical activity but also nutrition education through communal meals, emphasizing healthy eating habits. Additionally, the program hosts four annual themed meetings addressing critical factors impacting well-being such as sleep quality, screen time, and movement habits.

To enhance engagement and ease program management, the initiative has partnered with Lifesify, supported by the EU's DIGIT-PRE project, to develop digital tools. These tools serve as knowledge bases and track participant progress, enabling leaders to support families effectively. Leaders have also noted the valuable involvement of older siblings, reinforcing a family-wide commitment to healthier living.

This comprehensive family program aims for equitable health improvements, stronger social networks, and sustainable lifestyle changes, tackling the decline in youth physical activity through an inclusive and supportive approach.