Severe lack of exercise is having serious repercussions for the health of teenage girls, Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education and local teachers’ group said Thursday.

According to the SMOE and the Korea Federation of Teachers’ Associations, about 66.8 percent of girls aged 10-19 in Seoul do not partake in any physical activities, while only 26 percent of them exercise at least once a week.

They also said 43.7 percent of female students in middle and high school were regularly stressed out while 31.6 percent had experienced depression.

In contrast, 45.6 percent of teenage boys worked out more than once a week and 30.8 percent of them were stressed out. Some 22.2 percent ― nearly 10 percent less than their female counterparts ― experienced depression.

“Girls reluctant to participate in sports face a severe threat to their health, both physically and mentally,” said KFTA president Ahn Yeong-ok.

The SMOE and KFTA launched a plan to develop exercise programs that are more suitable for girls. The officials will also have student volunteers promote the program through social media.

But some teachers have expressed concerns about the SMOE not setting a budget to hire new teachers to conduct physical education lessons.

The SMOE said it was planning to have teachers of other subjects participate in physical education classes, sparking concerns that this could create more work for teachers.

By Yoon Min-sik (minsikyoon@heraldcorp.com)