Background:The Venezuelan Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the first assessment of information related to physical activity in Venezuela. It provides a compilation of existing information throughout the country and assesses how well it is doing at promoting opportunities for children and youth. The aim of this article is to summarize the information available. Methods: Thirteen physical activity indicators were graded by a committee of experts using letters A to F (A, the highest, to F, the lowest) based on national surveys, peer review studies, and policy documents. Results: Some indicators report incomplete information or a lack of data. Overweight and Obesity were classified as A; Body Composition and Nongovernmental Organization Policies as B; Municipal Level Policies as C; and Overall Physical Activity Levels and National Level Policies as D. Conclusions: 63% of children and youth have low physical activity levels. Venezuela needs to undergo a process of articulation between the several existing initiatives, and for said purposes, political will and a methodological effort is required. Investments, infrastructure, and opportunities will be more equal for all children and youth if more cooperation between institutions is developed and communication strategies are applied. Keywords: obesity, epidemiology, sedentary behavior, fitness, policyThere is no doubt that noncommunicable diseases (NCD) are a global health concern and that obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases have been on the rise during the last decades at an alarming rate. In Venezuela, the leading cause of death is cardiovascular diseases, and the rates of type 2 diabetes and obesity have been increasing during the past decade. 1 The cost of the high prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes is not only economic, but also results in a deteriorated quality life for those who suffer from these diseases. It is a major topic of scientific, social, and policy making discussions, especially when there are concerns about productivity and wellbeing of societies. Thus, Venezuela is facing increases of these NCD while still dealing with undernutrition and communicable diseases. 2 This has been a complex scenario when addressing the right interventions because at least ideally the aim should be to provide care for those who are overweight and/or obese and compensate those who are undernourished while attending to the normal population.Besides these challenges, the country is facing a relevant economic and social crisis in which the increase of poverty results in social disparities, constituting an obstacle for achieving the established international recommendations of physical activity (PA). 3 The last Standard Life Conditions Survey for Venezuelans 2015, conducted by 3 major universities in the country, reported that 53% of Venezuelan adults are not physically active, and the intensity of PA increases as socioeconomic status improves. 4 Similarly, childhood physical inactivity has reached levels that deserve media at...
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.