Conference Abstract: Movement to Move
Results from Colombia’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Authors:
Silvia A. González1, 2, Camilo A. Triana1, Catalina Abaunza3, Laura Aldana1, Luis F. Arias-Gómez1, Jhael Bermúdez4, Diana Marina Camargo Lemos5, Juan Camilo Cuya1, Daniel D. Cohen6, Jorge Enrique Correa-Bautista7, Iván D. Escobar8, Karen Lorena Fajardo1, Johnattan García9, Rocio Gámez10, Julia Andrea Gómez1, Yaneth Herazo Beltrán11, Maria Jose Lizarazo1, Oscar Lozano12, Paola Andrea Martínez1, Mercedes Mora13, Diana C. Páez1, Robinson Ramírez-Vélez7, Maria Isabel Rodríguez14, Nubia Ruiz12, Gustavo Tovar15, Julieth Pilar Uriza3, Olga L. Sarmiento1.
1School of Medicine, Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia; 2Healthy Active Living and Obesity Research Group, Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; 3Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; 4Colombian Family Welfare Institute, Bogotá, Colombia; 5School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health, Universidad Industrial de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia; 6 Faculty of Life Sciences, Universidad de Santander (UDES), and Fundación Oftalmológica de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia; 7Center of Studies in Physical Activity Measurements (CEMA Group), School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia; 8Colombian Foundation of Obesity Funcobes, Bogotá, Colombia; 9Takemi Program in International Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, United States; 10Muévete Bogotá Program, Sports Area, District Institute of Recreation and Sports, Bogotá Government, Bogotá, Colombia; 11Physiotherapy Program, School of Health Sciences, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla, Colombia; 12Physical Activity Group Division, Coldeportes, Bogotá, Colombia; 13Nutrition and Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia; 14Division of Students Welfare, Education Secretary, Bogotá Government, Bogotá, Colombia; 15School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia.
Introduction:
Physical activity (PA) promotion across the lifespan is a key strategy for the prevention of non-communicable diseases in the public health agenda in Colombia. The purpose of this article is to summarize the methodology and results of the Colombian 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.
Methods:
The 2018 Report Card was informed by the best and most recent evidence available from national surveys, peer-reviewed literature, policy documents and government reports, covering the period between 2010 to 2018. The evidence was summarized in 12 indicators grouped in three categories: Daily behaviors, settings and sources of influence and health outcomes. A research team and a group of national experts from multiple sectors developed the Report Card. Grades were based on common benchmarks and a standardized grading rubric defined by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance.
Results:
Only a third of Colombian children are achieving the recommended levels of PA, while 61% spend excessive time in screens. Active transportation is a highly prevalent behavior and important actions are being taken at the community level to promote PA. The policy framework related to PA promotion is broad, but there is a lack of evaluation to document its impact. Active play in children over 5 years and influence of family and peers are main research gaps.
Indicator |
Grade |
Overall Physical Activity |
D+ |
Organized Sport and Physical Activity |
C |
Active Play |
INC |
Active Transportation |
B |
Sedentary Behaviors |
D+ |
Physical Fitness |
D- |
Family and Peers |
INC |
School |
D |
Community and Environment |
B- |
Government |
B |
Sleep |
INC |
Overweight |
D- |
Conclusion
Only a third of the children and youth population in Colombia are enjoying the physical, social and cognitive benefits of being active. Higher involvement of the education sector, and the implementation of sustainable programs and policies, are required to contribute to spreading the benefits of PA across all Colombian children and youth.