Results from Ghana’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Abstract

Background: Limited evidence exists on indicators of physical activity (PA) and guidelines for children and youth in Ghana, despite the growing burden of physical inactivity, obesity, and related morbidity. A baseline description of PA indicators of Ghanaian children and youth is hereby presented in the 2014 Ghanaian Physical Activity Report Card. Methods: Data for the report card were obtained from a very limited available literature on PA among children and youth in Ghana. PA experts independently assigned grades to indicators based on available evidence, which were then harmonized and agreed to by group consensus. Results: The report card is based on limited evidence. Thus, 2 indicators were not graded (Active Play, and Family and Peer Support). For sedentary behavior, a B grade was assigned based on evidence from the 2012 Ghana School Health Survey which indicated that 21% of children and youth were sedentary. Organized Sports was graded a C, while the remainder of indicators (Overall PA levels, Active Transportation, School, Community, and Government) were graded a D. Conclusions: About one-third of Ghanaian children and youth engage in inadequate PA. More research on PA behavior and enabling environments is needed to better grade the indicators of PA in the future and to inform policy and interventions in Ghana. Appropriate school physical education and after-school sports policies and programs are warranted.

Spectrum of Endocrine Disorders in Central Ghana

“…The rising rates of diabetes in Ghana and other Sub-Saharan African countries are reflective of the increasing longevity of their citizenry and the improvements in the socioeconomic status, leading to urbanization and adoption of Western lifestyles that are serving as undercurrents for an epidemiological transition [17, 18]. Accordingly, the population prevalence of vascular risk factors, in particular, obesity, physical inactivity, and poor dietary practices, has escalated in several countries across most of the African continent culminating in the escalating rates of cardiovascular diseases and nutritional disorders, mainly diabetes and ischemic heart diseases, on the continent [19–25]. Hence, it is not surprising that diabetes continues to be the commonest endocrine disorder in our cohort.…”

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

“…8 The existing evidence on PA behavior among children is terribly limited. Therefore, there is an urgent need for investing in primary research that will generate population-based evidence.…”

“…Data for the 2016 RC were collected from sources, including peer-reviewed literature, published/unpublished graduate students' theses/dissertations, 8,[10][11][12] The self-report data were collected through a survey of the opinions of key stakeholders. The survey contained the key benchmarks for each indicator.…”

“…The meager data obtained for the development of this report present major challenges for the development of effective strategies to combat these risks and establish monitoring and surveillance mechanisms to appropriately assess and evaluate strategies and interventions. 8,9 Ghana's 2016 report card (RC) is a synthesis of the available evidence on the PA levels of children and youth and produced by the Active Healthy Kids Ghana (AHKG). 8 This RC is intended to increase awareness and sensitivity about issues surrounding PA and SB of children and youth, by highlighting areas where Ghana is making progress as a nation and placing emphasis on areas where more attention/action is needed.…”

“…8,9 Ghana's 2016 report card (RC) is a synthesis of the available evidence on the PA levels of children and youth and produced by the Active Healthy Kids Ghana (AHKG). 8 This RC is intended to increase awareness and sensitivity about issues surrounding PA and SB of children and youth, by highlighting areas where Ghana is making progress as a nation and placing emphasis on areas where more attention/action is needed. This is indeed a sustainable and effective way of monitoring and surveilling the PA levels of children and youth.…”