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

TLDR

Accumulating sufficient moderate to vigorous physical activity is a key determinant of physical, physiological, developmental, mental, cognitive, and social health among children and youth aged 5‑17. The study aimed to better understand global variation in child and youth physical activity and its supports, and to highlight the need for strategic public investments to increase activity opportunities. The authors assembled 49 country work groups that used harmonized procedures to grade 10 common indicators with the best available data, then categorized countries by UN HDI levels. Across 49 countries, 490 grades were assigned, with average grades of C‑ for low/medium HDI, D+ for high HDI, and C‑ for very high HDI, underscoring worldwide concern about child and youth physical activity.

Abstract

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.