The importance of assessing Physical Activity in Health Promoting School

Physical activity (PA) is a major component of a healthy life from early childhood to the old age. Last decades PA levels decreased dramatically in children all over the European countries. As consequence there was a rising appearance of risk factors and pathologic conditions in young such as overweight and obesity, increased blood pressure, unhealthy lipidic profile, diabetes, bone weakness. Moreover, scientific evidences highlight association between PA and mental health in children and adolescents (eating disorders, anxiety, depression) and between PA and cognitive positive development (e.g. ability to reason quickly and abstractly; cognitive skills of concentration and attention; academic achievement). World Health Organisation and other institutions explored the role of PA in the framework of Health Promoting School, recognising some important issues and objectives: assuring a safe environment for PA;enhancing Physical Education quality (enjoyable, motor abilities and fitness oriented, adapted to different needs); increasing the amount of time spent in movement during school days (curricular and extra-curricular PE, recreational PA during recess; active transport to and from schools); sustaining children’s personal development by educating life skills through PE e sport activities; inserting PA into curricular lessons as learning approach and for relaxation/concentration (e.g. streching breaks); offering PA opportunities and facilities for school staff and parents; collaborating with communities (e.g. sport team, municipalities, etc.). Aims. Our study was aimed to assess indicators for Health Promoting School at institute and student’s level and their relationships, focusing attention on physical education and extra-school motor experiences. Methods. In 2010, sixteen high schools was enrolled in Abruzzo Region (Middle Italy). Teachers filled in an Italian validated version of School Health Index and 497 students a questionnaire on school wellness, school physical activity and behaviours affecting health. Results. School conditions (i.e. crowding, noise, lightness) is the worst feature in the students perception compared with social relationships and sense of fulfillment at school. Only in the area of physical activity the analysis highlighted an association between teachers and students judgment. Maybe, physical activity could be perceived by young people as more desirable aspect of school experience, and they could be more in deep involved in that concrete way. Physical activity, so, could be a strategic interface between adolescent-students and adult-teachers to promote a shared good school experience. Concluding, positive outcomes could be expected from a school active oriented, so validated instrument for assessing setting and personal characteristics constitute a primary issue in the perspective of health promotion.