Impact of the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card: A 10-Year Analysis

For 20 years Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) has worked to inspire the country to engage all children and youth in physical activity (PA). The primary vehicle to achieve this is the AHKC Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, which has been released annually since 2005. Using 10 years of experience with this knowledge translation and synthesis mechanism, this paper aggregates and consolidates diverse evidence demonstrating the impact of the Report Card and related knowledge translation activities. Over the years many evaluations, consultations, assessments, and surveys have helped inform changes in the Report Card to improve its impact. Guided by a logic model, the various assessments have traversed areas related to distribution and reach, meeting stakeholder needs, use of the Report Card, its influence on policy, and advancing the mission of AHKC. In the past 10 years, the Report Card has achieved > 1 billion media impressions, distributed > 120,000 printed copies and > 200,000 electronic copies, and benefited from a collective ad value > $10 million. The Report Card has been replicated in 14 countries, 2 provinces, 1 state and 1 city. AHKC has received consistent positive feedback from stakeholders and endusers, who reported that the Report Card has been used for public awareness/education campaigns and advocacy strategies, to strengthen partnerships, to inform research and program design, and to advance and adjust policies and strategies. Collectively, the evidence suggests that the Report Card has been successful at powering the movement to get kids moving, and in achieving demonstrable success on immediate and intermediate outcomes, although the long-term goal of improving the PA of Canadian children and youth remains to be realized.

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Chipped or Whole? Listening to Survivors’ Experiences With Disclosure Following Sexual Violence

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/0886260520967745 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 088626052096774

Author(s):

Arielle A. J. Scoglio ◽

Alisa Lincoln ◽

Shane W. Kraus ◽

Beth E. Molnar

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Interpersonal Relationships ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Social Responses ◽

Perceived Impact ◽

Constant Comparative Analysis ◽

Difficult Times ◽

The Impact

Sexual violence is a prevalent crime but vastly underreported and with serious long-term health consequences for survivors. Disclosure of sexual violence represents a social experience that may offer support towards healing or further traumatization depending on the response received. Although current research suggests that process of disclosure itself is important, as are social responses, there is a dearth of research examining the perceived impact of initial responses to disclosure on healing and relationships, particularly over time. The current study used data from nine focus groups with 45 survivors to explore the impact of initial disclosure reactions on recovery, from the survivors’ perspectives. Constant comparative analysis identified several themes, including subtypes of positive and negative responses to disclosure and long-term impacts on healing and relationships. Survivors disclosed to informal and formal support persons and although many identified responses as positive or negative, some also experienced mixed responses. Survivors identified perceived long-term impacts on healing, interpersonal relationships, and social justice. Our findings suggest disclosures are a critical point for potential intervention after sexual violence. It is through the disclosure process that survivors can be supported and empowered to connect with others and move further along in their journey towards healing and recovery. Public awareness and promotion of positive responses could be designed to reach children and youth, so that the next generation is equipped with the tools to support each other in difficult times, particularly in the aftermath of sexual violence.

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Results from Ireland’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity in Children and Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2014-0166 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 11 (s1) ◽

pp. S63-S68 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Deirdre M. Harrington ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Tara Coppinger ◽

Muireann Cullen ◽

Alan Donnelly ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Performance Indicator ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Tv Viewing ◽

Organized Sport ◽

Common Framework ◽

The Impact

Background:Physical activity (PA) levels are a key performance indicator for policy documents in Ireland. The first Ireland Report Card on Physical Activity in Children and Youth aims to set a robust baseline for future surveillance of indicators related to PA in children and youth.Methods:Data collected between 2003−2010 on more than 35,000 7- to 18-year-old children and youth were used and graded using a standardized grading system for 10 indicators.Results:Grades assigned for the indicators were as follows: overall physical activity levels, D-; sedentary behavior (TV viewing), C-; organized sport participation, C-: physical education, D-; active play, inconclusive (INC); active transportation, D; school, C-, community and the built environment, B; family, INC; and government, INC.Conclusions:PA recommendations exist in Ireland but this Report Card has shown that participation is still low. A number of promising policies, programs and services are in place but these require thorough evaluation and adequate resourcing. Agreement and implementation of a common framework for the systematic surveillance of indictors related to PA of children and youth is necessary to monitor change over time and ensure the impact of promising work is captured.

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Research Trends and Recommendations for Physical Activity Interventions Among Children and Youth With Disabilities: A Review of Reviews

Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly ◽

10.1123/apaq.2019-0081 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 211-234 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Byron Lai ◽

Eunbi Lee ◽

Mayumi Wagatsuma ◽

Georgia Frey ◽

Heidi Stanish ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Research Priorities ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Information Communication ◽

Youth With Disabilities ◽

Physical Activity Interventions ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Review Of Reviews ◽

The Impact

This scoping review synthesized reviews of physical activity (PA) interventions for children and youth with disabilities to highlight promising elements of effective interventions, research methodological limitations, and research priorities. Twenty studies were eligible and underwent three rounds of review by an expert panel. Rich and diverse PA programs derived potential short-term benefits toward health, function, and PA. Strategies to increase sample sizes included embedding programs in the community and using information communication technology to deliver exercise programs. Methodological limitations of interventions included a lack of generalizability, transferability, and scientific rigor. Three research priorities were identified: develop and report precision-based intervention strategies, identify strategies that promote both long-term and sustainable PA participation and outcomes, and develop scalable interventions and recruitment strategies. If addressed, these areas could enhance the impact of PA interventions for children and youth with disabilities.

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P181 Long-term improvement in axial spondyloarthritis clinical outcomes following 2-weeks of intensive education and rehabilitation: results from the Bath residential rehabilitation programme

Rheumatology ◽

10.1093/rheumatology/keab247.176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 60 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Rosie Barnett ◽

Anita McGrogan ◽

Matthew Young ◽

Charlotte Cavill ◽

Mandy Freeth ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Physical Activity ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Rehabilitation Programme ◽

Spinal Mobility ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background/Aims Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic rheumatic condition, characterised by inflammatory back pain - often associated with impaired function and mobility, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and reduced quality of life. Despite the vast advances in pharmacological treatments for axSpA over the last few decades, physical activity and rehabilitation remain vital for effective disease management. At the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath (RNHRD), the 2-week inpatient axSpA rehabilitation programme has been integral to axSpA care since the 1970’s. Prior research has demonstrated significant short-term improvements in spinal mobility (BASMI), function (BASFI) and disease activity (BASDAI) following course attendance. However, the long-term outcomes are yet to be evaluated in this unique cohort. Methods Since the early 1990’s, clinical measures of spinal mobility, function and disease activity have been routinely collected at the RNHRD at all clinical appointments through administration of the BASMI, BASFI and BASDAI, respectively. Dates of attending the axSpA course and standard clinical and treatment follow-up data were also collected. Multiple linear regression models were used to investigate the impact of course attendance on final reported BASMI, BASDAI and BASFI scores (final score=most recent). Length of follow-up was defined as time between first and last recorded BASMI. Results Of the 203 patients within the Bath SPARC200 cohort, 77.8% (158/203) had attended at least one rehabilitation course throughout follow-up. 70.0% (140/203) of patients were male. The mean duration of follow-up was 13.5 years (range 0-35 years); 28.1% (57/203) of individuals with 20+ years of follow-up. Course attendance (yes versus no) significantly reduced final BASMI score by 0.84 (p = 0.001, 95%CI -1.31 to -0.37) and final BASDAI score by 0.74 (p = 0.018, 95%CI -1.34 to -0.13). Although course attendance reduced final BASFI by 0.45 (95%CI -1.17 to 0.28), this relationship did not reach significance (p = 0.225). Whilst minimally clinically important difference (MCID) is, to our knowledge, yet to be defined for BASMI, MCIDs were achieved long-term for both BASDAI and BASFI - defined by van der Heijde and colleagues in 2016 as 0.7 and 0.4 for BASDAI and BASFI, respectively. Conclusion These results provide novel evidence to support the integral role of education, physical activity and rehabilitation in the management of axSpA. Future work should investigate additional outcomes of critical importance to patients and clinicians, such as fatigue, quality of life and work productivity. Furthermore, a greater understanding of the factors that confound these outcomes may provide insights into those patients who may most benefit from attending a 2-week rehabilitation course. In addition to facilitating identification of those patients who may require additional clinical support. Disclosure R. Barnett: None. A. McGrogan: None. M. Young: None. C. Cavill: None. M. Freeth: None. R. Sengupta: Honoraria; Biogen, Celgene, AbbVie, Novartis, MSD. Grants/research support; Novartis, UCB.

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

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2016-0307 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (s2) ◽

pp. S284-S290 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Christine Delisle Nyström ◽

Christel Larsson ◽

Bettina Ehrenblad ◽

Hanna Eneroth ◽

Ulf Eriksson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Sport Participation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Health Indicators ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Sedentary Behaviors ◽

Related Data ◽

Nationally Representative ◽

Almost All

Background:The 2016 Swedish Report Card on Physical Activity (PA) for Children and Youth is a unique compilation of the existing physical and health related data in Sweden. The aim of this article is to summarize the procedure and results from the report card.Methods:Nationally representative surveys and individual studies published between 2005–2015 were included. Eleven PA and health indicators were graded using the Active Healthy Kids Canada grading system. Grades were assigned based on the percentage of children/youth meeting a defined benchmark (A: 81% to 100%, B: 61% to 80%, C: 41% to 60%, D: 21% to 40%, F: 0% to 20%, or incomplete (INC).Results:The assigned grades were Overall Physical Activity, D; Organized Sport Participation, B+; Active Play, INC; Active Transportation, C+; Sedentary Behaviors, C; Family and Peers, INC; School, C+; Community and the Built Environment, B; Government Strategies and Investments, B; Diet, C-; and Obesity, D.Conclusions:The included data provides some support that overall PA is too low and sedentary behavior is too high for almost all age groups in Sweden, even with the many national policies as well as an environment that is favorable to the promotion of PA.

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The Results from Estonia’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0456 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S350-S352 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Evelin Mäestu ◽

Merike Kull ◽

Kerli Mooses ◽

Jarek Mäestu ◽

Maret Pihu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth

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Report Card Grades on the Physical Activity of Children and Youth From 10 Countries With High Human Development Index: Global Matrix 3.0

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0391 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S284-S297 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Silvia A. González ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Patrick Abi Nader ◽

Dolores Susana Andrade Tenesaca ◽

Javier Brazo-Sayavera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Human Development ◽

Human Development Index ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Report Cards ◽

Global Alliance ◽

Development Index ◽

Average Grade ◽

Report Card Grades

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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Results from Nepal’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0512 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S386-S387 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Narayan Subedi ◽

Susan Paudel ◽

Sudip Nepal ◽

Ashmita Karki ◽

Mahendra Magar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth

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Global Matrix 3.0 Physical Activity Report Card Grades for Children and Youth: Results and Analysis From 49 Countries

Journal of Physical Activity and Health ◽

10.1123/jpah.2018-0472 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (s2) ◽

pp. S251-S273 ◽

Cited By ~ 162

Author(s):

Salomé Aubert ◽

Joel D. Barnes ◽

Chalchisa Abdeta ◽

Patrick Abi Nader ◽

Ade F. Adeniyi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Work Groups ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Report Card ◽

Children And Youth ◽

Letter Grades ◽

Public Investments ◽

Effective Interventions ◽

Report Card Grades ◽

Very High

Background: Accumulating sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity is recognized as a key determinant of physical, physiological, developmental, mental, cognitive, and social health among children and youth (aged 5–17 y). The Global Matrix 3.0 of Report Card grades on physical activity was developed to achieve a better understanding of the global variation in child and youth physical activity and associated supports. Methods: Work groups from 49 countries followed harmonized procedures to develop their Report Cards by grading 10 common indicators using the best available data. The participating countries were divided into 3 categories using the United Nations’ human development index (HDI) classification (low or medium, high, and very high HDI). Results: A total of 490 grades, including 369 letter grades and 121 incomplete grades, were assigned by the 49 work groups. Overall, an average grade of “C-,” “D+,” and “C-” was obtained for the low and medium HDI countries, high HDI countries, and very high HDI countries, respectively. Conclusions: The present study provides rich new evidence showing that the situation regarding the physical activity of children and youth is a concern worldwide. Strategic public investments to implement effective interventions to increase physical activity opportunities are needed.

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