Citation

Harrington DM, Belton S, Coppinger T, Cullen M, Donnelly A, Dowd K, Keating T, Layte R, Murphy M, Murphy N, Murtagh E, Woods C. J. Phys. Act. Health 2014; 11: S63-8.

Affiliation

University of Leicester CUKI.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/jpah.2014-0166

PMID

25426916

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Physical activity (PA) levels are a key performance indicator for policy documents in Ireland. The first Ireland Report Card on Physical Activity in Children and Youth aims to set a robust baseline for future surveillance of indicators related to PA in children and youth.

METHODS: Data collected between 2003-2010 on more than 35,000 7- to 18-year-old children and youth were used and graded using a standardized grading system for 10 indicators.

RESULTS: Grades assigned for the indicators were as follows: overall physical activity levels, D-; sedentary behavior (TV viewing), C-; organized sport participation, C-: physical education, D-; active play, inconclusive (INC); active transportation, D; school, C-, community and the built environment, B; family, INC; and government, INC.

CONCLUSIONS: PA recommendations exist in Ireland but this Report Card has shown that participation is still low. A number of promising policies, programs and services are in place but these require thorough evaluation and adequate resourcing. Agreement and implementation of a common framework for the systematic surveillance of indictors related to PA of children and youth is necessary to monitor change over time and ensure the impact of promising work is captured.

Language: en