Adidas, Asics, New Balance, Nike and Decathlon are among 83 companies and federations that have signed an open letter calling for stronger efforts to get young people moving. Coordinated by the World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry (WFSGI), the letter sets out a shared commitment to help more young people experience the long-term benefits of sport and physical activity.

The signatories include sporting goods associations, manufacturers, brands and retailers from across the global industry. They have committed to four areas of action: increasing youth participation and narrowing the gender gap; sharing evidence-based approaches; working with regional and national partners to improve the systems and environments that influence activity; and engaging with governments to promote better alignment between health, education, sport, trade and urban planning policies.

The initiative comes amid figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in The Lancet. The data indicate that 86 percent of adolescents do not meet recommended activity levels. One in four young people aged 11 to 17—240 million in total—report having no active days in a typical week. Girls are less active than boys in every region, according to the findings.

WFSGI chief executive Emma Zwiebler said the industry has the reach and expertise to help address inactivity, but that progress requires collective action with partners in both the public and private sectors. The letter’s signatories acknowledge that companies already support grassroots programs, community initiatives and athlete sponsorships, while also recognizing that more is needed to close participation gaps.

Decathlon CEO Javier López described the WHO findings as a reason to accelerate action, saying that improving young people’s wellbeing requires cross-sector collaboration. Nike vice president and chief impact officer Vanessa Garcia-Brito also highlighted the activity gap affecting girls and said the company is working with community organizations, athletes, coaches and others to make youth sport accessible, enjoyable and inclusive.

Sources: WWD.