Results from Lithuania's 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

Sukys Sukys,Trinkuniene Trinkuniene,Rutkauskaite Rutkauskaite,Gruodyte-Raciene Gruodyte-Raciene,Tremblay Tremblay,Emeljanovas Emeljanovas,Mieziene Mieziene

doi:10.3390/ijerph16234710

Abstract

The Global Matrix 3.0 “Report Card” assessment of physical activity was developed to achieve a better understanding of the global variability in child and youth physical activity. Lithuania joined the Global Matrix 3.0. The aim of this article is to summarize the results of the first Lithuanian Report Card, which included 10 indicators, as representative of individual behaviors, sources, and settings of influence indicators, and a health-related characteristic. The grades for each indicator were based on the best available Lithuanian data. The findings showed poor Overall Physical Activity, Active Transportation (C−), and Family and Peers (D). Sedentary behavior was graded C−, and Organized Sport Participation, Community and Environment, and Government were graded C. Physical Fitness and School indicators received the highest grade (C+). The first Lithuanian Report Card on Physical Activity of Children and Youth shows that Lithuanian children and youth have less than satisfactory levels of organized physical activity, active transportation to and from school, community and built environments, and government strategies and investments. The low levels of support from family and peers require more attention from health promoters. There is a gap in the evidence about active play that should be addressed by researchers and policy makers.

Highlights

During the past several decades, physical activity has been investigated mainly with a primary focus on its health benefits
And Peers received a grade of D, and an INC grade was assigned for Active Play because of insufficient data
The first Lithuanian Report Card on Physical Activity of Children and Youth shows that Lithuanian children and youth have less than satisfactory levels of organized physical activity, active transportation to and from school, community and built environments, and government strategies and investments

Summary

Introduction

During the past several decades, physical activity has been investigated mainly with a primary focus on its health benefits. The long-term health benefits of physical activity include healthy muscles and bones, reduced risk of developing chronic diseases, better overall fitness, and a longer “health span” [1,2,3,4]. Among school-aged children in particular, physical activity is related to many health benefits in the physical, psychological, social [5], and cognitive domains [5,6,7]. The World Health Organization [8] recommends at least 1 h of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA) per day for children and adolescents to achieve the physical activity-related health benefits.

Objectives

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Results

Discussion

Conclusion