Active Healthy Kids Belgium 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
This 2016 Belgium Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the first systematic evaluation of physical activity behaviors, related health behaviors, health outcomes, and influences thereon, using the Active Healthy Kids Canada grading framework (Tremblay et al., 2015). A research working group as well as policy experts from both Flanders and Wallonia collaborated to determine the indicators to be graded, data sources to be used, and factors to be taken into account during the grading process. Grades were assigned based on examination of the current data and literature for each indicator against a benchmark or optimal scenario: A (81-100%) = We are succeeding with a large majority of children; B (61 – 80%) = We are succeeding with well over half of children; C (41 – 60%) = We are succeeding with about half of children; D (21 – 40%) = We are succeeding with less than half, but some, children; F (00 – 20%) = We are succeeding with very few children; INC = there is no or insufficient evidence to assign a grade. In addition to an overall grade, an indicator could be assigned a plus sign or minus sign based on the presence or absence, respectively, of substantial social inequalities, according to age, region, gender, or socioeconomic status. Eleven indicators were selected and assigned the following grades: overall physical activity (F+), organized sport participation (C-), active play (C+), active transportation (C-), sedentary behaviors (D-), school (B-), government strategies and investment (C+), and weight status (D). Incomplete grades were assigned to family and peers, community and the built environment, and dietary behaviors due to a lack of nationally representative data. Despite moderately positive social and environmental influences, physical activity levels of Belgian children and youth are low while levels of sedentary behaviors are high. ; Peer reviewed