Results From Canada’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Dr. Casey Gray, Joel Barnes, Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput, Dr. Mark Tremblay and their colleagues authored a paper, “Results From Canada’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth,” that was recently published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health. This paper is part of an open-access supplemental issue relating to the 15 physical activity report cards that were released at the Global Summit on the Physical Activity of Children in Toronto May 19-22, 2014. Citation details and a summary of the paper are below.

Gray CE, Barnes JD, Cowie Bonne JC, Cameron C, Chaput JP, Faulkner G, Janssen I, Katzmarzyk PT, Kolen AM, Manske SR, Salmon A, Spence JC, Timmons BW, Tremblay MS. Results From Canada’s 2014 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Journal of Physical Activity and Health 11(suppl.1):S26-S32, 2014.

ABSTRACT: Background: The Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) Report Card consolidates and translates research and assesses how Canada is being responsible in providing physical activity opportunities for children (3- to 11-years-old) and youth (12- to 17-years-old). The primary aim of this article is to summarize the results of the 2014 AHKC 10th Anniversary Report Card. Methods: Ten physical activity indicators were graded using the AHKC Report Card development process, which includes a synthesis of the best available research, surveillance, policy and practice findings, and expert consensus. Results: Grades assigned were for: ‘Behaviors that Contribute to Overall Physical Activity Levels’ (Overall Physical Activity Levels, D-; Organized Sport Participation, C+; Active Play, INCOMPLETE; Active Transportation, D; Sedentary Behaviors, F), ‘Settings and Sources of Influence’ (Family and Peers, C; School, C+; and Community and the Built Environment, B+), and ‘Strategies and Investments’ (Government Strategies and Investments, C; and Non-Government Strategies and Investments, A-). Conclusions: Despite good availability of policies, programs, and infrastructure, the overall physical activity levels of Canadian children and youth remain low while sedentary behavior levels remain high. As with many nations, there is room for improvement in most physical activity behaviors and some sources of influence.

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