Results from Venezuela’s 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Marianella Herrera-Cuenca, Betty Méndez-Pérez, Maritza Landaeta-Jiménez, Xiomarys Marcano, Evelyn Guilart, Luis Sotillé and Rosalba Romero
Background: The 2018’s Venezuelan Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth is the assessment of information related to physical activity in Venezuela, and provides an update of existing information throughout the country and assesses how it has been doing at promoting opportunities for children and youth. The aim of this Report Card is to summarize the information available. Methods: Thirteen physical activity indicators were graded by a committee of experts using letters A to F (A, the highest to F, the lowest) based on national surveys, peer review studies and policy documents. Results: Some indicators report incomplete information or a lack of data including: Active play, sedentary behaviors, physical fitness, family and peers and school. These indicators: Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sports and Physical Activity Participation, Cardiometabolic Risk and Community and Environment were categorized as D, D+, D and D- respectively; Active Transportation as B; Government as F; Non-Government as A- and Physical Activities Initiatives for Children and Youth with Disabilities as A+. Conclusions: The majority of Venezuelans adolescents are inactive. Overall, Venezuelan children and youth are exposed to risks that are modifiable and that would benefit from better implementation of Governmental actions and articulation with private and civil society’s efforts for closing the existing gaps on wellbeing in different population groups.