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

Abstract

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.

Assessment of Physical Activity Indicators for Children and Youth in Ethiopia: Evidence from the Global Matrix 3.0 Study (2017–2018)

“…Ethiopian children are in a lifestyle shift toward physical inactivity [10][11][12]. Evidence suggests that childhood inactivity has contributed to the rise in obesity in many developing countries including Ethiopia [13]. A systematic review conducted on overweight/obesity among children and adolescents in Ethiopia found that the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among children was 11.3% (overweight = 8.9%, obesity = 2.4%).…”

“…Active play % of children and youth who participated in unstructured active play for several hours a day [6,13] 2018…”

“…Active transportation % of children and youth who actively travel to and from places including school, friend's house, mall, and park [6,13] 2018…”

“…Sedentary behaviors % of children and youth who achieve the Canadian Sedentary Behaviour guidelines, no more than 2 h of screen time in a day [6,13,14] 2018…”

“…Family and peers % of children and youth who encouraged and get support from their family's members and friends to be physically active [6,13] 2018…”