Conference Abstract: Movement to Move
Results from Mexico’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Karla I. Galaviz, Gabriela Argumedo Garcia, Alejandro Gaytán-González, Inés González-Casanova, Martín Francisco González Villalobos, Alejandra Jáuregui, Edtna Jáuregui Ulloa, Catalina Medina, Yoali Selene Pacheco Miranda, Marcela Pérez Rodríguez, Eugen Resendiz, Ricardo Alejandro Retano Pelayo, María del Pilar Rodríguez Martínez, Juan Ricardo López y Taylor
Introduction: Physical activity levels among Mexican children and youth have been below recommended standards in the past six years. To inform physical activity programs and policies, Mexico’s 2018 Report Card aims to assess how the country is doing in terms of promoting physical activity among children and youth.
Methods: We reviewed national surveys, census data and government documents to obtain information around 10 indicators (Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport and Physical Activity Participation, Active Play, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviors, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, School, Community and Environment, and Government. We then compared the data obtained against established benchmarks and assigned the corresponding grade.
Results: Grades indicate physical activity and sedentary behaviors among Mexican children and youth remain below recommended levels. Sports participation and active transportation levels are better but still need to improve. Schools are failing to provide adequate physical education to all children, while communities lack adequate physical activity spaces. While national physical activity initiatives have been introduced, their implementation and impact is unknown (See Table of Grades). We were unable to grade the Family and Peers, Active Play and Physical Fitness indicators due to lack of reliable national data.
Conclusion: Mexican children and youth are far from achieving the recommended levels of physical activity and screen time. In addition, schools, communities and government are not providing adequate physical activity opportunities. Improving surveillance of behavior, opportunities in the school and community, and evaluation existing programs and policies is recommended.
Table of Grades
| Indicator |
Grade |
Rationale |
| Overall Physical Activity |
D+ |
According to the 2016 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT), 60% of youth 15-19 years old get at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per day. Only 17% of children 10-14 years old achieve this recommendation. In this age group, less girls (12.7%) than boys (21.8%) meet this recommendation. |
| Organized Sport Participation |
C |
According to ENSANUT 2016, 48.6% of children 10-14 years of age participate in some type of organized sport. |
| Active Play |
INC |
There is insufficient data to grade this indicator. |
| Active Transportation |
C+ |
According to 2015 census data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), 54.8% of children 3 years
and older walk to school and 1.5% ride bicycles. |
| Sedentary Behaviour |
D- |
According to ENSANUT 2016, 22.7% of 10-14 year old children spend no more than 2 hours per day in front of a screen. Only 21.4% of 15-19 year-old youth spend no more than 2 hours per day in front of a screen. |
| Physical Fitness |
INC |
There is insufficient data to grade this indicator. |
| Family and Peers |
INC |
There is insufficient data to grade this indicator. |
| School |
D+ |
According to the Secretary of Public Education (2015), only 36.3% of school-age children in public schools receive 1 hour of physical education per week. |
| Community and Environment |
D+ |
INEGI census data show 33% of neighborhoods in Mexico have sidewalks and trees and that 45% have public lighting7. INEGI data also show 74% of Mexican adults stopped allowing their children to go outside. |
| Government |
C |
Two national physical activity programs (Ponte al 100 and Muevete en 30) signal interest in physical activity promotion but their implementation and impact are unknown. Also, funds allocated for physical activity promotion are insufficient ($181 million in 2013 and $202 million Mexican pesos in 2014). |
