Special issue: Global Matrix 3.0 — An introduction to the report cards on the physical activity of children and youth from five Asian countries and regions

Background: The Global Matrix 3.0 brings together the Report Card grades for 10 physical activity indicators for children and youth from 49 countries. This study describes and compares the Global Matrix 3.0 findings among 10 countries with high Human Development Index. Methods: Report Cards on physical activity indicators were developed by each country following a harmonized process. Countries informed their Report Cards with the best and most recent evidence available. Indicators were graded using a common grading rubric and benchmarks established by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. A database of grades from the countries was compiled, and letter grades were converted to numerical equivalents. Descriptive statistics and scores for groups of indicators were calculated, and correlation analyses were conducted. Results: Grades for the 10 countries clustered around “D” ranging from “F” to “B+.” Active Transportation had the highest average grade (“C”), whereas Overall Physical Activity had the lowest average grade (“D-”). Low grades were observed for both behavioral and sources of influence indicators. Conclusions: In the context of social and economical changes of high- Human Development Index countries, urgent actions to increase physical activity among children and youth are required. Surveillance and monitoring efforts are required to fill research gaps.

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Trends and measurement issues for active transportation in New Zealand's physical activity report cards for children and youth

Journal of Transport & Health ◽

10.1016/j.jth.2019.100789 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

pp. 100789 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Melody Smith ◽

Erika Ikeda ◽

Scott Duncan ◽

Ralph Maddison ◽

Erica Hinckson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Active Transportation ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Measurement Issues ◽

Activity Report

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

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0594 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (s2) ◽

pp. S343-S366 ◽

Cited By ~ 194

Author(s):

Mark S. Tremblay ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Silvia A. González ◽

Peter T. Katzmarzyk ◽

Vincent O. Onywera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Built Environment ◽

Sedentary Behavior ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Active Transportation ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Global Alliance ◽

Active Play

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.

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The International Impact of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Physical Activity Report Cards for Children and Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0244 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (9) ◽

pp. 679-697 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Salomé Aubert ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Megan L. Forse ◽

Evan Turner ◽

Silvia A. González ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Action Plan ◽

Children And Youth ◽

World Health ◽

Report Cards ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Global Alliance ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

The Impact

Background: In response to growing concerns over high levels of physical inactivity among young people, the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance developed a series of national Report Cards on physical activity for children and youth to advocate for the promotion of physical activity. This article provides updated evidence of the impact of the Report Cards on powering the movement to get children and youth moving globally. Methods: This assessment was performed using quantitative and qualitative sources of information, including surveys, peer-reviewed publications, e-mails, gray literature, and other sources. Results: Although it is still too early to observe a positive change in physical activity levels among children and youth, an impact on raising awareness and capacity building in the national and international scientific community, disseminating information to the general population and stakeholders, and on powering the movement to get kids moving has been observed. Conclusions: It is hoped that the Report Card activities will initiate a measurable shift in the physical activity levels of children and contribute to achieving the 4 strategic objectives of the World Health Organization Global Action Plan as follows: creating an active society, creating active environments, creating active lives, and creating active systems.

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France’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth: Results and International Comparisons

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2019-0241 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 270-277

Author(s):

Salomé Aubert ◽

Julien Aucouturier ◽

Jeremy Vanhelst ◽

Alicia Fillon ◽

Pauline Genin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Physical Inactivity ◽

Sport Participation ◽

International Comparisons ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Online Information ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Organized Sport

Background: Insufficient levels of physical activity and increasing sedentary time among children and youth are being observed internationally. The purpose of this paper is to summarize findings from France’s 2018 Report Card on physical activity for children and youth, and to make comparisons with its 2016 predecessor and with the Report Cards of other countries engaged in the Global Matrix 3.0. Methods: The France’s 2018 Report Card was developed following the standardized methodology established for the Global Matrix 3.0 by grading 10 common physical activity indicators using best available data. Grades were informed by national surveys, peer-reviewed literature, government and nongovernment reports, and online information. Results: The expert panel awarded the following grades: overall physical activity, D; organized sport participation and physical activity, C−; active play, INC; active transportation, C−; sedentary behaviors, D−; physical fitness, B–; family and peers, INC; school, B; community and the built environment, INC; and government, C. Conclusions: Very concerning levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviors among French children and youth were observed, highlighting the urgent need for well-designed national actions addressing the presented physical inactivity crisis. The top 3 strategies that should be implemented in priority to improve the lifestyle of French children and youth are provided.

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Report Card Grades on the Physical Activity of Children and Youth Comparing 30 Very High Human Development Index Countries

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0431 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S298-S314 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Salomé Aubert ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Nicolas Aguilar-Farias ◽

Greet Cardon ◽

Chen-Kang Chang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Human Development ◽

Human Development Index ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

High Rate ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Noncommunicable Diseases ◽

Development Index ◽

Very High

Background: To better understand the childhood physical inactivity crisis, Report Cards on physical activity of children and youth were prepared concurrently in 30 very high Human Development Index countries. The aim of this article was to present, describe, and compare the findings from these Report Cards. Methods: The Report Cards were developed using a harmonized process for data gathering, assessing, and assigning grades to 10 common physical activity indicators. Descriptive statistics were calculated after converting letter grades to interval variables, and correlational analyses between the 10 common indicators were performed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients. Results: A matrix of 300 grades was obtained with substantial variations within and between countries. Low grades were observed for behavioral indicators, and higher grades were observed for sources of influence indicators, indicating a disconnect between supports and desired behaviors. Conclusion: This analysis summarizes the level and context of the physical activity of children and youth among very high Human Development Index countries, and provides additional evidence that the situation regarding physical activity in children and youth is very concerning. Unless a major shift to a more active lifestyle happens soon, a high rate of noncommunicable diseases can be anticipated when this generation of children reaches adulthood.

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Indicators of Physical Activity Among Children and Youth in 9 Countries With Low to Medium Human Development Indices: A Global Matrix 3.0 Paper

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0370 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S274-S283 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Taru Manyanga ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Chalchisa Abdeta ◽

Ade F. Adeniyi ◽

Jasmin Bhawra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Human Development ◽

Rank Correlation ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Quality Data ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Global Indices ◽

Sources Of Influence

Background: This study compares results of physical activity report cards from 9 countries with low to medium human development indices, participating in the Global Matrix 3.0 initiative. Methods: Country-specific report cards were informed by relevant data and government policy documents, reporting on 10 core indicators of physical activity for children and youth. Data were synthesized by report card working groups following a harmonized process. Grade assignments for each indicator utilized a standard grading rubric. Indicators were grouped into one of 2 categories: daily behaviors and settings and sources of influence. Descriptive statistics (average grades) were computed after letter grades were converted into interval variables. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were calculated for all correlation analyses. Results: Mean grades for daily behaviors were higher (C) than those for settings and sources of influence (D+). Twenty-nine out of the possible 90 grades were assigned an incomplete. There were moderate to strong positive and negative relationships between different global indices and overall physical activity, organized sport and physical activity, active play, family, community and environment, and government. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate an urgent need for high-quality data at the country level in order to better characterize the physical activity levels of children and youth in countries with low to medium human development indices.

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