Physical activity report card for our youth: Not good – with 50% of waking hours spent in sedentary activity.
Recently, The National Physical Activity Plan Alliance and the American College of Sports Medicine released their U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. Unfortunately, grades in a number of key indicators are failing or very poor.
According to the report, the primary goal of the report card was to “assess physical activity levels and sedentary behaviors of U.S. children and youth.” Key findings indicate that physical activity levels in American youth are falling below recommended levels, with 50% of waking hours spent in sedentary activity. Furthermore, the report found that only 25% of children ages 6 to 15 are meeting the current guideline of 60 minutes of moderate physical activity per day
The key indicators evaluated and graded in the report card include:
— Overall Physical Activity: D-
— Sedentary Behaviors: D
— Active Transportation: F
— Organized Sport Participation: C-
— School: C-
— Community and the Built Environment: B-
— Active Play: Incomplete
— Health-Related Fitness: Incomplete
— Family and Peers: Incomplete
— Government Strategies and Investments: Incomplete
Want to learn more:
The 2014 United States Report Card On Physical Activity For Children & Youth http://www.physicalactivityplan.org/reportcard/NationalReportCard_shortform_final%20for%20web.pdf
Top nutrition experts share ideas for getting kids to eat better and be more active. http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/10/kids-eating-exercising-healthfully/3358229/