The potential of school-based physical education to increase physical activity in Aotearoa New Zealand children and young people: a modelling study Open Access PDF Download Regular physical activity is critical for children and young people’s health and wellbeing; it contributes to the development of healthy cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems and the maintenance of a healthy body weight, and it is associated with positive psychological and cognitive benefits.1 In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health recommends that young people aged 5–17 years accumulate at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day,2 which is in line with international guidelines.1 As few of 7% of young New Zealanders are currently doing enough physical activity at a sufficient frequency to meet these recommendations,3 with nearly half failing to achieve a sufficient total volume of physical activity on a weekly basis.4 This suggests that urgent action is required.