Abstract: This study made a horizontal comparison of the physical activity guidelines for children and adolescents among 10 countries and regions from North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, and examined the development trend and regular pattern of recommended physical activity levels. By further clarifying the health benefits of physical activity, this study summarized the 3 prominent features of current physical activity guideline: caring about the general requirements for physical activities from moderate to intense level, stressing the types of physical activity of bone and muscular strength, while lacking assessment and monitoring methods on physical activity. These physical activity guidelines suggest the right orientation for the activity of children and adolescents, and help them to deeply understand the benefits of physical activity. These experiences are beneficial to the establishment of physical activity guidelines in China.

Key words: physical activity guidelines, children and adolescents, international comparisons