Report Card Grades

  • Overall Physical Activity: A-**
  • Organized Sport and Physical Activity: C+
  • Active Play: C-
  • Active Transportation: B+
  • Sedentary Behavior: INC
  • Physical Fitness: C-
  • Family and Peers: B-
  • School: B
  • Community and Environment: B
  • Government: A-


** The grade for Overall Physical Activity for school-aged children was A- based on new global matrix 4.0 criteria (60 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity, MVPA, on average based on device-based methods and on at least four days per week based on self-report). The grade would have been D+ by using the earlier criteria that has been used in Finland’s national report cards 2018 and 2022 (60 minutes of MVPA on every day based on device-based methods and on seven days per week based on self-report).

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Report Card Leaders

Tuija Tammelin, Ph.D.Dr. Tuija Tammelin is a Principal Researcher at LIKES, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä, Finland. She earned her PhD in physical activity epidemiology at the University of Oulu and her MSc in exercise physiology at the University of Jyväskylä. She has published more than 100 peer reviewed scientific articles on physical activity, fitness and public health during the life-course. Her current research at LIKES focus on the enhancement of physical activity: on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in different populations, and the significance of physical activity on health, well-being and learning at different phases of life, especially in youth. She has been Finland’s Report Card leader since 2016.

Katariina Kämppi, MSc in Sport and Health Sciences Katariina Kämppi is a researcher at LIKES, JAMK University of Applied Sciences. She works in national programmes that promote physical activity in early childhood education (Joy in Motion), basic education (Schools on the Move), lower secondary and higher education (Students on the Move). Her role is to conduct research, follow-up and evaluation in order to increase knowledge and understanding on the structures and operational cultures that affect physical activity. Katariina has been involved in Finland’s Report Card team since the Global Matrix 1.0. She has coordinated and co-leaded Finland’s process for three times.

Report Card Grades

  • Overall Physical Activity: D
  • Organized Sport and Physical Activity: C+
  • Active Play: C
  • Active Transportation: B+
  • Sedentary Behavior: D-
  • Physical Fitness: C
  • Family and Peers: B-
  • School: A
  • Community and Environment: B+
  • Government: A-

Related Links

Top Three Priorities

  1. Focus on the least active children and adolescents!
  2. Break continuous sitting at school and decrease excessive screen time at home!
  3. Let children and adolescents participate in planning and implementation of the actions!

Report Card Leaders

Tuija Tammelin, Ph.D.Dr. Tuija Tammelin is a Research Director at LIKES – Research Center for Sport and Health Sciences in Jyväskylä, Finland. She earned her PhD in physical activity epidemiology at the University of Oulu and her MSc in exercise physiology at the University of Jyväskylä. She has published more than 100 peer reviewed scientific articles on physical activity, fitness and public health during the life-course. Her current research at LIKES focus on the enhancement of physical activity: on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in different populations, and the significance of physical activity on health, well-being and learning at different phases of life, especially in youth. Dr. Tammelin has leaded the follow-up research related to national physical activity programme Finnish Schools on the Move aiming to make school-day more active and pleasant in comprehensive schools in Finland.

Katariina Kämppi, MSc in Sport and Health Sciences

Conference Abstract: Movement to Move

Report Card Title and authors

Finland’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Katariina Kämppi, Nina Halme, Pauliina Husu, Laura Joensuu, Sami Kokko, Kaisu Mononen, Sanna Palomäki, Timo Ståhl, Arja Sääkslahti and Tuija Tammelin

Brief Introduction

Finland’s 2018 Report Card was the third assessment of physical activity (PA) for Finnish children and adolescents (previous years 2014 and 2016). The purpose of this abstract is to summarize the results of Finland’s 2018 Report Card and provide grades for 10 indicators concerning the status and promotion of PA among Finnish school-aged children and youth.

Methods

Finland’s 2018 Report Card included the 10 core PA indicators that are common to the Global Matrix 3.0. The data sources were most recent national monitoring and surveys related to PA including the LIITU study 2016, the School Health Promotion Study 2017, National Move! monitoring system for physical functioning capacity 2017 and Promotion of PA in municipalities – TEAviisari 2016. Finland’s 2018 Report Card work group included 19 specialists from different fields, working on research, policy or practices related to PA among children and adolescents.

Results including Table of Grades

Indicator Grade
Overall Physical Activity (PA) D
Organized Sport Participation C+
Active Play C
Active Transportation B+
Sedentary Behaviours D-
Physical Fitness C
Family and Peers B-
School A
Community and Environment B+
Government A-

Conclusions and recommendations

Governmental support for PA promotion among school-aged children and youth in Finland during past few years has been stronger than ever before. Nevertheless, the proportion of Finnish children and youth who achieve the recommended levels of daily PA and screen time is still low. Facilitating a population level change in PA among children and youth requires wide collaboration and contribution of different sectors and actors. Everyone working with children and adolescent and influencing their lives has an opportunity to facilitate their PA. In addition, more effective interventions, operation models, concrete tools as well as environmental solutions are needed to support the change toward more physically active childhood and youth.

Report Card Grades

  • Overall Physical Activity: D
  • Organized Sport Participation: C
  • Active Play: C
  • Active Transportation: B
  • Sedentary Behaviors: D
  • Family and Peers: C
  • School: B
  • Community and Built Environment: B
  • Government Strategies and Investments: B

Related Links

Report Card Leader

Tuija Tammelin, Ph.D.Dr. Tuija Tammelin is a Research Director at LIKES – Research Center for Sport and Health Sciences in Jyväskylä, Finland. She earned her PhD in physical activity epidemiology at the University of Oulu and her MSc in exercise physiology at the University of Jyväskylä. She has published more than 100 peer reviewed scientific articles on physical activity, fitness and public health during the life-course. Her current research at LIKES focus on the enhancement of physical activity: on the determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in different populations, and the significance of physical activity on health, well-being and learning at different phases of life, especially in youth. Dr. Tammelin has leaded the follow-up research related to national physical activity programme Finnish Schools on the Move aiming to make school-day more active and pleasant in comprehensive schools in Finland.

Conference Abstract: 6th International Congress on Physical Activity and Public Health

Results from Finland’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Tammelin T, Aira A, Hakamäki M, Husu P, Kallio J, Kokko S, Laine K, Lehtonen K, Mononen K, Palomäki S, Ståhl T, Sääkslahti A, Tynjälä J, Kämppi K

Background: Finland’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth gathers and translates research results and assesses the status and promotion of physical activity (PA) among Finnish children and youth less than 18 years of age. This article summarises the results and provides grades for nine indicators. Methods: The working group evaluated the evidence and assigned grades of A (highest, 81–100%), B, C, D or F (failed, lowest 0–20%) for nine PA indicators using the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card development process. Results: The grades varied in Finland as follows: 1) overall PA/fulfilment of recommendations = D, 2) organised sport participation = C, 3) active play = C, 4) active transportation = B, 5) sedentary behaviours = D, 6) family and peers = C, 7) school = B, 8) community and the built environment = B, 9) government = B. Conclusions: Despite good policies and programmes to promote PA in Finland, children’s and youth’s overall PA levels are low, whereas their time spent sedentary is high. More effective interventions, operation models, means, concrete tools as well as environmental solutions are needed to support the work toward more physically active childhood and youth.

Report Card Grades

  • Overall Physical Activity: D
  • Organized Sport Participation: C
  • Active Play: D
  • Active Transportation: B
  • Sedentary Behaviors: D
  • Family and Peers: C
  • School: B
  • Community and Built Environment: B
  • Government Strategies and Investments: B

Related Links

Report Card Leader

Professor Jarmo Liukkonen, University of Jyväskylä