Results From Colombia’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Abstract

Background:Physical activity (PA) is vital to the holistic development of young people. Regular participation in PA is associated with substantial benefits for health, cognitive function, and social inclusion. Recognizing the potential of PA in the context of the current peace process in Colombia, the purpose of this article is to present the methodology and results of Colombia’s second Report Card on PA for children and youth.Methods:A group of experts on PA graded 14 PA indicators based on data from national surveys and policy documents.Results:National and departmental policy indicators received a grade of B, while organized sport participation, overweight, obesity, community influence, and nongovernment initiatives indicators received a grade of C. Overall PA levels, active transportation, sedentary behaviors, and school influence received a grade of D. Active play, low physical fitness, and family influence received an Incomplete grade.Conclusions:PA levels are low and sedentary behaviors are high in Colombian children and youth, with notable geographic differences. A broad policy framework translated into specific actions could provide unique opportunities to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice, and contribute to social integration goals in a postconflict setting.

Pubertal Stage, Body Mass Index, and Cardiometabolic Risk in Children and Adolescents in Bogotá, Colombia: The Cross-Sectional Fuprecol Study

“…In that study, the author found that the BMI values of girls were considerably higher than those of boys. Furthermore, the tendencies regarding obesity status reported in our study are also in consonance with the general statistics of Colombia’s 2016 Report Card on physical activity for children and youth [ 24 ]. These research results justify the need to implement programs that foment healthy life styles from an early age.…”

School Food Environment, Food Consumption, and Indicators of Adiposity Among Students 7‐14 Years in Bogotá, Colombia

“…[37][38][39][40][41] In addition, studies on sedentary behaviors have also found that Colombian children have high levels of sedentary behaviors with about 50% of children spending 2 or more hours per day watching TV. 39,42 Furthermore, these studies, along with some in other countries, have also found a positive relationship between sedentary behaviors and overweight/obesity status in children, where children who spend more time watching TV have increased odds of being overweight/obese. 39,[43][44][45]…”

“…Several previous analyses of children in Colombia have also found that most children in the country are not engaged in sufficient levels of physical activity and few meet WHO recommendations for physical activity (at least 60 minutes per day, every day) . In addition, studies on sedentary behaviors have also found that Colombian children have high levels of sedentary behaviors with about 50% of children spending 2 or more hours per day watching TV . Furthermore, these studies, along with some in other countries, have also found a positive relationship between sedentary behaviors and overweight/obesity status in children, where children who spend more time watching TV have increased odds of being overweight/obese …”

Cycling to School and Body Composition, Physical Fitness, and Metabolic Syndrome in Children and Adolescents

“…29,30 The difference between the sexes found in the present study could be related to the fact that girls usually have lower physical activity levels than boys, as reported in the latest results from Colombia's 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. 31 For this reason, AST could be sufficient to promote improvements in girls' physical fitness.…”