Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Global Matrix 4.0 on physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents was developed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the global variation in children's and adolescents' (5-17 y) PA, related measures, and key sources of influence. The objectives of this article were (1) to summarize the findings from the Global Matrix 4.0 Report Cards, (2) to compare indicators across countries, and (3) to explore trends related to the Human Development Index and geo-cultural regions.
METHODS: A total of 57 Report Card teams followed a harmonized process to grade the 10 common PA indicators. An online survey was conducted to collect Report Card Leaders' top 3 priorities for each PA indicator and their opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child and adolescent PA indicators in their country.
RESULTS: Overall Physical Activity was the indicator with the lowest global average grade (D), while School and Community and Environment were the indicators with the highest global average grade (C+). An overview of the global situation in terms of surveillance and prevalence is provided for all 10 common PA indicators, followed by priorities and examples to support the development of strategies and policies internationally.
CONCLUSIONS: The Global Matrix 4.0 represents the largest compilation of children's and adolescents' PA indicators to date. While variation in data sources informing the grades across countries was observed, this initiative highlighted low PA levels in children and adolescents globally. Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, local/international conflicts, climate change, and economic change threaten to worsen this situation.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 700-728 |
Number of pages | 29 |
Journal | Journal of Physical Activity & Health |
Volume | 19 |
Issue number | 11 |
Early online date | 24 Oct 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 30 Nov 2022 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:The authors are grateful for all the hard work by each participating country’s Report Card team members and Leaders and all other members of their Report Card Committees. The authors also want to thank Malebogo Gaolatlhe-Monnaatsie and Fiona Gillison for completing the online survey. SA provided scientific and management support to the development of the Global Matrix 4.0; created the online survey and performed the quantitative and qualitative analyses of its replies, and wrote the present article. JDB provided online technical support to the development of the Global Matrix 4.0, performed all the statistical analyses involving grades, and contributed to the present article. ID was the project coordinator of the Global Matrix 4.0 and contributed to the present article. MH provided technical support to the development of the online surveys and the project coordination of the Global Matrix 4.0 and reviewed the present article. MST provided scientific and management support to the development of the Global Matrix 4.0 and contributed to the present article. The remaining authors contributed equally as leaders/co-leaders of a Report Card, completed the online survey, and contributed to/reviewed the present article.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Human Kinetics, Inc.
Keywords
- active transport
- physical education
- sedentary behaviors
- sport
- surveillance
- youth
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine