Global Matrix 2.0: Report Card Grades on the Physical Activity of Children and Youth Comparing 38 Countries

Abstract

The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance organized the concurrent preparation of Report Cards on the physical activity of children and youth in 38 countries from 6 continents (representing 60% of the world’s population). Nine common indicators were used (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behavior, Family and Peers, School, Community and the Built Environment, and Government Strategies and Investments), and all Report Cards were generated through a harmonized development process and a standardized grading framework (from A = excellent, to F = failing). The 38 Report Cards were presented at the International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health in Bangkok, Thailand on November 16, 2016. The consolidated findings are summarized in the form of a Global Matrix demonstrating substantial variation in grades both within and across countries. Countries that lead in certain indicators often lag in others. Average grades for both Overall Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior around the world are D (low/poor). In contrast, the average grade for indicators related to supports for physical activity was C. Lower-income countries generally had better grades on Overall Physical Activity, Active Transportation, and Sedentary Behaviors compared with higher-income countries, yet worse grades for supports from Family and Peers, Community and the Built Environment, and Government Strategies and Investments. Average grades for all indicators combined were highest (best) in Denmark, Slovenia, and the Netherlands. Many surveillance and research gaps were apparent, especially for the Active Play and Family and Peers indicators. International cooperation and cross-fertilization is encouraged to address existing challenges, understand underlying determinants, conceive innovative solutions, and mitigate the global childhood inactivity crisis. The paradox of higher physical activity and lower sedentary behavior in countries reporting poorer infrastructure, and lower physical activity and higher sedentary behavior in countries reporting better infrastructure, suggests that autonomy to play, travel, or chore requirements and/or fewer attractive sedentary pursuits, rather than infrastructure and structured activities, may facilitate higher levels of physical activity.

Aptidão Cardiorrespiratória, Composição Corporal De Escolares E Estruturas Físicas Para Prática De Atividades Físicas

“…Alguns autores afirmam que o status socioeconômico do estudante afeta seu uso das estruturas físicas na escola, enquanto que outros relatam que o nível socioeconômico da vizinhança do local da atividade física influencia mais no aproveitamento de suas estruturas físicas do que o nível socioeconômico do aluno 26,27 . Ainda, se sabe que a importância do suporte escolar para a prática física é mais relevante em países desenvolvidos do que em sub ou em desenvolvimento, assim como os melhores ambientes e infraestruturas se encontram nos países europeus e norte americanos, enquanto que os piores estão em países africanos 28 . Também, a auto percepção, ou a percepção dos pais ou responsável no caso de crianças e adolescentes, de segurança no local da atividade está entre os principais pontos de intervenção em política de incentivo à atividade física 29,30 .…”

Aperçu - Un changement difficile à faire accepter : constats d’une analyse qualitative de l’offre d’aliments sains dans les installations récréatives et sportives

“…Environ les trois quarts des enfants cana diens pratiquent des sports organisés comme le soccer et la natation 1 . Les instal lations récréatives et sportives (IRS) -un terme qui inclut les centres de condi tionnement physique multifonctionnels, les arénas, les patinoires et les terrains de sport -rendent possibles la pratique d'activités physiques structurées et la modélisation d'autres objectifs de promo tion de la santé tels que la prévention des blessures ou des espaces sans fumée 2 .…”

Rethinking school-based approaches to promote physical activity among children: using the evidence base more effectively

“…Just over half the studies (17/30) were school-based and, despite this, the review did show that there was a statistically significant intervention effect for school-based interventions for moderate-to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) (standardized mean difference [95% CI] 0.17 [0.07-0.27]). In my opinion, this difference does provide an important health benefit given MVPA is the intensity of activity recommended in physical activity guidelines for school-aged children and that current rates of meeting physical activity guidelines in children is low internationally [4]. In addition, the Metcalf review did not include studies that only reported intervention effects for a component of the day, such as school hours.…”