Assessment of Physical Activity Indicators for Children and Youth in Ethiopia: Evidence from the Global Matrix 3.0 Study (2017–2018)

Abstract

Background: Regular physical activity is vital for children's health, well-being, and development. However, evidence is scant about physical activity indicators for children and youth in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess physical activity indicators among children and youth in Ethiopia.Methods: This study was conducted as part of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance's "Global Matrix 3.0" which included 49 countries. Data were collected from December 2017 to April 2018. The country research team included different disciplines related to physical activity. Data were retrieved from pre-reviewed literature, government policy documents, and an expert interview panel. Data were analyzed using the ten physical activity indicators for children and youth. The grading system was done through a harmonized process and the standard grading rubric of the Global Matrix 3.0 study ((A = ≥ 80%, B = 60%-79%, C = 40%-59%, D = 20%-39%, F = < 20%, INC = incomplete data).Results: For the overall physical activity indicator, 28% of children and youth in Ethiopia met the recommended physical activity of 60 min per day which resulted in a "D" grade. Likewise, the school and government indicator received a "D" grade. Almost 32% of schools in Ethiopia had access to infrastructures and multipurpose spaces for physical activity including outdoor play. The government policy partially existed in the non-communicable diseases agenda but had less focus on children and youth. The active play indicator scored the highest grade of "B." About 71% of children and youth were involved in active play for at least 2 h a day before, during, and after school. About 50% of children and youth were engaging in organized sport participation, and this indicator was graded a "C." Similarly, 48% of children and youth walked to and from school as a means of active transportation resulting in a "C" for this indicator. Three indicators (sedentary behavior, family and peers, and community and environment) were graded as an "F." Approximately 8% of children and youth were living in communities and environments that did not support opportunities for physical activity. Only 13% of children and youth spent less than 2 h per day in sedentary screen time. There was no adequate information to grade the physical fitness indicator.Conclusion: This study showed that Ethiopian's children and youth have received low grades for majority of physical activity indicators. Therefore, urgent actions should be taken by the government, policymakers, researchers, and key stakeholders to address the suggested priority areas.

Association between dietary consumption patterns and the development of adolescent overnutrition in eastern Ethiopia: new perspectives

“…(35,36). There is no consensus about a single cutoff point to define PA to prevent overweight and obesity, but one of the main factors contributing to increased adiposity is lower energy expenditure caused by decreased PA (37,38). In this study, the odds of being overweight or obesity among adolescents with higher hours of sedentary behaviors were 6 times more likely than those who did not have a sedentary life.…”

“…This could be further limited by the hoot weather condition of the study area. One study has showed that only 28% has the recommended PA level and less than 50% use walk from home to school and this worst in the urban setting ( 41 ).…”

“…Important predictors of overnutrition found in previous studies and associations with a value of p below 0.2 in the bivariable analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression model. Hence, we adjusted for potential confounding variables (factors) where model fitness was evaluated using Hosmer and Lemeshow’s test (value of p above 0.05) and the Omnibus test ( p -value below 0.05) ( 40 , 41 ). We also checked for an interaction or effect modification between the independent variables using a p -value ( 39 ).…”

“…Based on the GPAQ tool, each level of physical activity was transformed into MET in minutes per week, and then the sum of sub-activities' MET minutes per week was calculated. Then, we multiplied the number of days involved in a certain level of physical activity per week by the daily duration (in minutes) and the metabolic equivalents considering the physical activities in minutes done in a week (4.0 METS for moderate, 8.0 for vigorous and 3.0 for transport related walking or cycling) (27,38). Hence, we calculated the total MET minutes/week and classified them to determine the physical activity level.…”

The 2018 National Report on Children’s and Adolescents’ Physical Activity and Physical Fitness for Montenegro

“…Physical inactivity and increasing screen-time among children and adolescents around the world have been well-documented in the previous three decades ( 1 ) and they are two of the leading causes of poor physical fitness among the members of those populations. Likewise, several recognized methodologies actively monitor the physical activity and physical fitness of children and adolescents worldwide ( 2 – 4 ), however, they are locally oriented, and when it comes to Montenegro, this vital issue has remained unexplored.…”