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Article

Results from Scotland's 2021 report card on physical activity and health for children and youth: Grades, secular trends, and socio-economic inequalities

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Citation

Bardid F, Tomaz SA, Johnstone A, Robertson J, Craig LCA & Reilly JJ (2022) Results from Scotland's 2021 report card on physical activity and health for children and youth: Grades, secular trends, and socio-economic inequalities. Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness, 20 (4), pp. 317-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jesf.2022.07.002

Abstract
Background/Objectives The 2021 Active Healthy Kids Scotland Report Card aimed to identify secular trends and socio-economic inequalities, and to assess the physical activity and health of children and youth prior to COVID-19. Methods An expert panel searched for data published in 2018¨C2020. Grades were assigned to nationally representative data using the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance methodology. Results The expert panel, following national consultation, awarded the following grades: Community/Environment B-, Organized Sport and Physical Activity B-, Government/Policy C-/C+, Active Transportation C-, Family/Peers D-, Recreational Screen Time F. Five indicators were graded inconclusive (INC): Overall Physical Activity; Active Play; Physical Fitness; Diet; Obesity. Grades have remained stable or declined, and surveillance has reduced, increasing the number of INC grades. There were marked socio-economic inequalities for eight indicators (Recreational Screen Time; Overall Physical Activity; Organized Sport & Physical Activity; Active Transportation; Diet; Obesity; Family/Peers; Community/Environment). Conclusions Despite a decade of favorable policy, physical activity and health of children and youth has not improved, and marked socio-economic inequalities continue to persist in Scotland. There is a clear need for greater monitoring of physical activity and health, and improved policy implementation and evaluation, particularly as many indicators and related inequalities may have worsened following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords
Physical activity; Sedentary behavior; Health; Childhood; Adolescence; Surveillance

Journal
Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness: Volume 20, Issue 4

StatusPublished
Publication date31/10/2022
Publication date online19/07/2022
Date accepted by journal06/07/2022
URL
PublisherElsevier BV
ISSN1728-869X

People (1)

Dr Simone Tomaz Joubert

Dr Simone Tomaz Joubert

Lecturer in Exercise Physiology, Sport

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