Katariina Kämppi, MSc in Sport and Health Sciences
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.