Knowledge Exchange to Policy Action

1. Knowledge Exchange to Policy Action
The Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on
Physical Activity for Children and Youth
Building Capacity for Use in Other Jurisdictions

2. • Established in 1994, a national organization with a passionate voice
for the development of active healthy children and youth in Canada.
• Focused on making physical activity a major priority in the everyday
lives of Canadian families.
• Committed to providing expertise and direction to policymakers and
the public on increasing and effectively allocating resources and
attention toward physical activity for children and youth.
Active Healthy Kids Canada

3. The primary vehicle to achieve
this mandate is the Active
Healthy Kids Canada Report
Card on Physical Activity for
Children and Youth and its
related activities.
Mandate
Strategic national leadership
– advancing knowledge,
evidence-informed
communication and
advocacy strategies – to
influence issue stakeholders
who affect physical activity
opportunities for children and
youth.

4. The Active Healthy Kids Canada
Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
The Report Card, in its sixth year of production, is an evidence-
informed communications and advocacy piece designed to
provide insight into Canada’s “state of the nation” each year on
how, as a country, we are being responsible in providing
physical activity opportunities for children and youth.

5. Strategic Development Partners
• ParticipACTION facilitates design,
dissemination and media
outreach for the Report Card
across Canada, through
communications strategies that
garner attention and provoke
action across government, non-
governmental organizations, the
media and the public.
• The Healthy Active Living and
Obesity Research Group at the
Children’s Hospital of Eastern
Ontario Research Institute serves
as the key knowledge partner,
and leads the content
development and writing of the
Report Card, supported by a
Research Work Group.

6. 2010 Report Card Research Work Group
• Chair – Mark Tremblay
CHEO Research Institute
• Coordinator - Rachel Colley
CHEO Research Institute
• Cora Craig & Sue Cragg
CFLRI
• Ian Janssen
Queens University
• Steve Manske
University of Waterloo
• John Spence
University Alberta
• Doug Willms
University of New Brunswick
• Michelle Brownrigg
Active Healthy Kids Canada

7. Report Card Influences and Indicators
• The Report Card frames
around the Physical Activity
Levels grade.
• It assesses the influences and
indicators that have an
impact on Physical Activity
Levels.
• It also looks at the outcomes
associated with physical
activity and how these also
then influence Physical
Activity Levels.

8. Short Form Report Card

9. Long Form Report Card

14. Data Sources
• Key data sources:
• Health Behaviour of School-aged Children Survey (HBSC)
• Tell Them from Me Survey (TTFM)
• Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute: Physical Activity
Monitor; Survey of Canadian Schools; CANPLAY Survey; Survey of
Municipalities
• Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS)
• National Longitudinal Survey on Children and Youth (NLSCY)
• Participation and Activity Limitation Survey, Statistics Canada (PALS)
• SHAPE Survey (Alberta Preschoolers)
• WEB-Span Survey (Alberta)
• School Health Action Planning and Evaluation System (SHAPES)
• SHES: School Health Environment Survey
• In addition, the long form Report Card includes a comprehensive set of
references and a variety of specific recommendations in each section.

15. Impact: Reach
• Facilitated by a
network of
provincial/territorial
partners, Report Card
distribution has now
surpassed 40,000
copies.
• Over 4000 total visits
to the AHKC website
in the month of
release
• Media coverage has
grown each year -
for 2009 it was in
excess of 100 million
media impressions in
TV, radio, print and
online media across
Canada.

16. Impact: Media Coverage

17. Impact: Influence in the Field
• 90% agree the Report Card is achieving its objective of
increasing awareness about physical activity in children and
youth
• 86% agree that it supports their mandate as an organization.
It is used by these stakeholders to:
– guide strategic direction and new areas of investment
– in forming stakeholders’ message strategy for public awareness
campaigns
– as a foundation for research; and
– in presentations and to justify financial investments in physical
activity.

18. What is the Report Card used for in your
organization?
• keeping up with research in the field (78%)
• advocacy (76%)
• communications and public relations (74%)
• program development (66%) and training (68%)
• forming partnerships (60.6%)
• policy/strategy development (47%)
• briefing senior staff and elected officials (42%)
• for revenue generation/proposals (38%)

19. •Parent Guide Evaluation - over a third took some action to
increase physical activity for kids.
•Take Action Guide - 84% indicated they would do implement
a strategy in response to the Plan of Action

21. Report Card:
2010 Global Best Award Honourable Mention
• The International Partnership Network celebrates
outstanding and effective business, education and community
organization partnerships that have a significant impact on
the communities in which they operate.
• The 2009 Report Card was recognized for Promoting Health
and Well-Being of Children and Youth in Education for not
only exemplifying the link between health and learning, but
also focusing on the well-being of the whole child, specifically
the impact on children's ability to learn and affirm their sense
of identity and self-confidence.

22. Impact: Influence on Policy
• “The Nova Scotia Department of Health
Promotion and Protection appreciates the
work Active Healthy Kids Canada in
helping keep the physical activity levels of
children and youth and related issues at
the forefront of public attention. The
Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card is
a valuable reference for government and
non-government stakeholders and we
thank you for your ongoing excellent work
in this area.”
Maureen MacDonald
Minister, Health Promotion and
Protection
Nova Scotia
• “I would like to take the opportunity to
thank you for the important work of
Active Healthy Kids Canada. Your
organization’s contributions to the
process, whether through informative
presentations, comprehensive Report
Cards, ongoing surveillance and
knowledge exchange, build awareness of
the issues and lead the direction towards
evidence-based solutions. Your
commitment to working with both
government and non-government
partners positively influence the creation
and enhancement of policies and
investments for physical activity in Canada
is appreciated.”
Hédard Albert
Minister of Education
New Brunswick

23. CFLRI CanPLAY Survey Results -
Proportion Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS

24. CFLRI CanPLAY Survey Results -
Mean Number of Steps
PHYSICAL ACTIVIY LEVELS

25. Impact: Influence on Policy
Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Ministers:
National Physical Activity Targets
By 2015, for children and youth aged 5 to 19 years:
• to increase, by seven percentage points the proportion
of children and youth who participate in 90 minutes of
moderate-to-vigorous physical activity
• to increase the average number of steps taken by all
children and youth from 11,500 steps to 14,500 steps
per day, which is equivalent to an increase of 30
minutes of physical activity per day.

26. Key Report Card Indicator:
Physical Activity Levels
• The Physical Activity Levels indicator is assessed in association
with the CFLRI CanPLAY Survey
• Directly ties to the goal set by Ministers of Sport, Physical
Activity and Recreation to increase the number of children
and youth meeting physical activity guidelines to 17% by 2015
– this allows for an annual measure of progress in each
Report Card.

27. Impact: Influence on Policy
• Presentation of Report Card
findings to Deputy Ministers
responsible for Sport,
Physical Activity and
Recreation from across
Canada (Nov 2008)
• Ministers release a joint
policy statement identifying
collective policy action
commitments to meet child
and youth physical activity
targets (Aug 2009)
"I would like to take this
opportunity to commend your
organization for creating this
important and informative
tool, as well as for its
continued commitment to
promoting physical activity
among Canadian children and
youth—at school, in our
communities and at home."
The Honourable Gary Lunn
Minister of State for Sport

28. Joint Policy Statement:
Intersectoral Action on Children and Youth Physical Activity
• collaborate with Ministers of
Health and Ministers of
Education to increase physical
activity
• work cooperatively to achieve
governmental and
intergovernmental targets for
children and youth;
• align social marketing efforts
and support collaborative
intersectoral action
• recognize the after-school
time period as an opportunity
for youth physical activity
• come together in a forum to
discuss and explore
opportunities to build on their
experiences and best practices
• consider progress on action
taken by governments, to
achieve targets for children
and youth at their respective
annual meetings
Ministers responsible for Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation will:

29. 2010 Active Healthy
Kids Canada
Report Card on
Physical Activity for
Children and Youth

30. Healthy Habits Start Earlier Than You Think
• The early years are a
critical period for
growth and
development.
• National and regional
data indicate less than
half of kids five and
under are getting
regular physical activity.

31. Physical Activity in the Early Years
• The National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth
indicates that only 36% of 2-3-year-olds and 44% of 4-5-year-
olds engage regularly in unorganized sport and physical
activity each week.
• A survey of Edmonton parents indicates that only 42% of
preschoolers get 90 minutes of physical activity per day.
• In childcare centre settings, one US study shows that 89% of
children’s time is spent being sedentary.

32. • More than 90% of kids begin
watching TV before the age of
two, despite
recommendations that
screen time should be zero
for children under 2, and
limited to 1 hour for kids 2-5.
• National data show that
15.2% of 2-5-year-olds are
overweight and 6.3% are
obese. It is estimated that
overweight 2-5-year-olds
are 4 times as likely to be
overweight as adults.
In 1971, the average
age at which children
began to watch TV was
4 years; today, it is 5
months.

33. Active play is fun, but not frivolous.
• In the early years, active
play is required for
healthy development,
as it builds confidence
and basic movement
skills, and fosters social
interaction,
imaginations and self-
esteem.

34. Start Young, Start Strong
• Although work is ongoing to
fill the gap, Canada does
not have physical activity
guidelines for children 5
and under.
• While international
guidelines vary, the
consensus is that all
children aged 1 to 5 years
should participate in at
least two hours of physical
activity every day,
accumulated over many
sessions and as part of
play, games, transportation
and recreation.

35. Physical Activity Levels
• The CFLRI CANYPLAY Study provides objectively measured
data indicating that only 12% of children and youth are
meeting Canada’s guidelines of 90 minutes (or 16,500 steps)
of physical activity a day.
F

36. Physical Activity Levels
• The proportion meeting the guidelines
has decreased slightly from 13% in 2009,
but still registers an increase from 9% in
2007, and 10% in 2008.
• This year, we see no forward movement
towards meeting targets of 17% by 2015,
as set out by provincial and territorial
government ministers responsible for
physical activity, recreation and sport.

37. Provincial and territorial breakdowns indicate that no province
or territory is achieving the Canadian physical activity guideline
of 16,500 steps per day.
CFLRI CANPLAY STUDY

38. Organized Sport and Physical Activity
Participation
• Children involved in organized sport
and physical activity programs have
higher overall levels of physical
activity.
• Income disparity consistently emerges
in relation to organized sport
participation. Despite being aimed at
lower income families, the Canadian
Fitness Tax Credit appears to benefit
mostly middle and upper income
families.
C

39. Active Play
• 74% children in a regional study indicated
they would like to do something active
after school if they had the choice.
• Active play should be common in childcare
centres, however research has indicated
child care settings can be predominantly
sedentary.
F

40. Active Play

41. Active Transportation
• Children who actively
commute to school get
more daily physical activity,
but regional data show that
less than 1/3 of children and
youth use active
transportation to get to and
from school.
D

42. Screen time and Physical Activity
Screen Time
F

43. Family Physical Activity
• Only 27% of parents say they are aware of
Canada’s physical activity guidelines
• A US study showed that 4 year old children with household
routines of regular family meals, adequate sleep and limited
screen time had a 40% lower risk of obesity.
D

44. Peers
• Another study found that
35% of kids cited peers as a
reason they enjoy physical
activity and sport.
• While there is not enough evidence to assign a grade, one study
found that friends were the most important factor in young
women’s participation in sport and physical activity.
INC

45. School
Physical
Education
• Most provinces and territories mandate PE in some
way, but actual implementation rates are largely
unknown.
Sport and
Physical
Activity
Opportunities
at School
• In grade 6, 55% of boys and 53% of girls participate
in school sports, by grade 12, 41% of boys and 27% of
girls participate in school sports.
Infrastructure
and
Equipment
• Provision of equipment and toys can increase
physical activity and decrease sedentary time in kids
attending preschool or daycare.
School Policy • Many schools in Canada have school-based policies
relating to physical activity, however evidence of
actual implementation is sparse.
C-
C
B
C

46. Community and Built Environment
Proximity and
Accessibility
• Well over half of Canadians have
physical activity facilities nearby and
accessible to them
Community
Programming
• Well over half of Canadians agree
there are a variety of appropriate
programs available in their
neighbourhood.
Usage of Facilities,
Programs, Parks and
Playgrounds
• Less than half of Canadian children
and youth use the community physical
activity amenities available to them.
• 49% of parents agree that cost is a
barrier to using programs
B
B+
D

47. Access to and use of Community Parks.
Playgrounds, Facilities & Programs
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Programs and
facilities are
available locally
Programs and
facilities meet
needs well or very
well
Children use the
programs and
facilities often or
very often
Parks and outdoor
spaces available
locally
Parks and outdoor
spaces meet needs
well or very well
Children use the
parks and spaces
often or very often
ProportionofParentsReporting(%)

48. Community and Built Environment
Perceptions of Safety
and Maintenance
• Well over half of Canadians perceive
their neighbourhood to be safe enough
to walk in, and engage in other physical
activities with their children.
Municipal Policies and
Regulations
• 96% of 24 major municipalities
surveyed in Canada have a community-
level policy that hinders physical activity
participation in children and youth.
B
D

50. Policy
Federal Government
Strategies
• There is no ‘stand-alone’ strategy
focused on physical activity which can
result in less priority for the issue.
Provincial/Territorial
Government Strategies
• Nine of the 13 provinces and
territories have developed specific
physical activity strategies. One has
consultations underway to develop a
strategy, and one has a strategic area
for physical activity included as part of
its “Wellness Strategy.”
C+
B+

51. Policy
Federal Government
Investment
• While federal spending in real dollars
per capita has risen since 2005, it is still
half the amount that it was in 1986.
Provincial/Territorial
Government Investment
• Spending in provinces and territories
has been steadily increasing over time
and is double what it was in the 1980s
in the five provinces where data could
be obtained.
Industry, philanthropic
and research
investments
• Funding has dropped in many sectors,
largely because of the economic
downturn.
F
C-
C

53. Report Card Content Development Process
• The content development process is overseen by the Healthy
Active Living and Obesity Research Group at CHEO Research
institute
• Each Report Card indicator is evaluated individually to assign a
unique letter grade
• Data sources and available literature vary from year to year
• Grade assignment process requires consultation and critical
review from our Research Work Group
• Key considerations include trends over time, international
comparisons and the presence of disparities

54. Identification of Research Work Group (RWG) Members: The RWG is an
interdisciplinary selection of experts who are responsible for identifying and
ranking Report Card indicators based on available data, research and key issue
areas. This process is led by the Chair of the RWG in consultation with the
AHKC CEO and Board. A Scientific Officer (lead author) is identified and leads
Report Card development.
Report Card Indicator Meeting: This face-to-face meeting includes the RWG,
the Scientific Officer and AHKC staff. The team identifies new data coming
available and trends in research, policy and practice.
Report Card Content Development: The Scientific Officer compiles research
literature for all indicators from a range of sources and works with RWG
members to include new and unique data analyses from national data sets
relating to physical activity in children and youth in Canada.
Month 1
Month 3
Months
3-6
Report Card Content Development Process

55. Grade Assignment Meeting: In this 2nd
annual face-to-face meeting the RWG
reviews the compiled evidence and assigns a letter grade to each indicator in
the Report Card. A grading framework is used in combination with
consideration for international comparisons, trends over time, disparities (e.g.,
age, sex, geography, ethnicity, socio-economic status etc.).
Report Card Writing and Release: The Scientific Officer writes the long form
Report Card to reflect the national surveillance data, the research literature
and the assigned grades. The short form Report Card is developed from the
long form. Media relations experts are consulted to develop key messages and
a comprehensive media strategy. Provincial and territorial partners are
engaged prior to the release date to optimize the dissemination and media
reach of the Report Card.
Month 6
Months
10-12
Ongoing Communications, Dissemination and Evaluation of the Report Card
Months
7-9
Report Card Content Development Process

56. Report Card Content Development Process
Through this model we:
• amass the best possible evidence;
• identify gaps in the existing knowledge;
• and provide recommendations for what we
can do to improve.

57. Report Card Marketing and Communications:
Shaping and Sharing the Message
The strategic marketing
and communications
plan drives the design,
message development,
production and
distribution of the
annual Report Card.

58. Report Card Marketing and Communications:
Shaping and Sharing the Message
Identification of an annual key theme or “cover story” for the
Report Card that highlights the evidence contained and
resonates strongly with the public

59. • The marketing and communications strategy development is
supported by ParticipACTION, as well as marketing and public
relations agencies.
• Social marketing strategy drives the front cover creative
development and design.
• The media advocacy strategy balances the weight of findings
with the public appetite for information.
Report Card Marketing and Communications:
Shaping and Sharing the Message

60. • The media advocacy strategy uses the Report Card release as
the foundation for extensive media relations and awareness
generation.
• Key messages, media materials, pre-recorded videotaped
interview clips and corresponding web tools are created; a
network of regional and national spokespersons are engaged
for interviews in select major media markets and a network of
partner organizations from across the country to coordinate
regional response to the Report Card.
Report Card Marketing and Communications:
Shaping and Sharing the Message

61. • Articles have been submitted to peer-reviewed publications
supplementary communication tools are created, such as a
presentation deck and template articles that can be used in
newsletters and trade journals.
Report Card Knowledge Exchange

62. The Report Card was supported by
and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

63. activehealthykids.ca

64. The 2010 Get Active Toronto
Report on Physical Activity
www.getactivetoronto.com

65.  Get Active Toronto (GAT) is an
initiative formed between public,
voluntary and private sector
organizations to address the current
epidemic of physical inactivity by
achieving increased physical activity
levels in Toronto by raising public
awareness and creating more
opportunities and reducing barriers
through collaboration.
 In pursuit of that goal, Get Active
Toronto released the 2010 Get Active
Toronto Report on Physical Activity,
modeled on the Active Healthy Kids
Canada framework to mobilize
Toronto organizations and individuals
to build capacities for improving
activity levels in Toronto.

66. Key Challenges and Opportunities
 The Get Active Toronto brand is new - limited awareness of the Get Active Toronto
brand.
 Limited benchmarks at all levels; municipal, provincial and national.
 We hoped to use the Get Active Toronto report as a catalyst to build collaboration
in Toronto organizations. At this point we were still really at pilot/launch stage.
 The Active Healthy Kids Canada framework fit well with the framework Get Active
was working on – referencing the social determinants of health and building what
we termed, “Dimensions of access” to physical activity.
 The timing was opportune – as Get Active Toronto was looking at a spring launch
and Active Healthy Kids Canada was in the same time frame.

67. Key Challenges & Opportunities
 Synergy existed between both groups – similar objectives: to inform the public
and motivate for change.
 Both groups could assist the other. Active Healthy Kids Canada could help Get
Active Toronto establish its brand and enhance the focus of local attention to the
physical inactivity crisis and Get Active Toronto could provide Active Healthy Kids
Canada with a large local network to share their messaging with.
 Establishing the relationship fit well with our collaboration strategy.
 The fundamental linkages between national, provincial and municipal data could
begin to be established.

68. Why the Active Healthy Kids Canada Framework?
 Get Active Toronto was working with Dimensions of Access;
 Financial;
 Public Awareness/Media;
 Geography & Time;
 Socio-cultural;
 Urban Planning /Transportation;
 Employment/Human Resources.
 These dimensions were similar to the indicators and influencers identified in the
Active Healthy Kids framework.
 The Active Healthy Kids Canada framework was easily adopted and adapted for
the Get Active Toronto report.

69. Partnership Development
 Get Active Toronto released a pilot report in 2008.
 We learned that the community had an interest in this type of
information.
 Existing relationship with ParticipACTION through the partner network,
brought Get Active Toronto into dialogue with Active Healthy Kids Canada
 Through discussion, this opportunity was presented and a partnership
grew.

70. Progress to Date
 Get Active Toronto has produced its 2010 Report on Physical Activity.
 The partnership has been beneficial to all parties
 The vertical benchmarking is useful for a municipal report such as ours
 The vertical benchmarking is useful for a national report
 The Report has been well noted and we will continue to develop this
framework and our relationship with Active Healthy Kids Canada

71. Moving Forward
• The 2010 Get Active Toronto Report on Physical Activity was released on April 27,
2010
• The Report was well noted in the municipality by media, stakeholders and the
public.
• The messaging of the report and the disturbing trends toward inactivity has been
disseminated
• Get Active Toronto will seek to establish new partnerships, using the report, to
seek solutions to increasing physical activity in Torontonians.
• Research gaps identified in the report will be reviewed and some work will be
done to eliminate the gaps
• Benchmarks on physical activity have been created and can now be tracked.
• The Report can be used as a tool by funders, programmers, individuals, businesses
to build capacities that break down the barriers to physical activity that exist in the
Toronto community.

72. Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical
Activity for Children and Youth:
Saskatchewan Supplement

73. Only 15% of Saskatchewan Children
& Youth are Active Enough
CanPlay 2009
We’re NOT OK with
that!

74. Saskatchewan in motion is a
province wide movement aimed
at increasing physical activity for
health, social environmental
and economic benefits.

75. The in motion
movement
• Strategic Partner Organizations
• 165 Community Action Teams
• 452 Schools
• 469 Workplaces
• Thousands of Leaders
in more than 259 Communities across
Saskatchewan…

76. NATIONAL REPORT CARD ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
Responded to media interviews
•Issued a news release
•Implemented a small distribution
strategy
•Issued a news release
•Implemented a distribution
strategy aimed at provincial
elected officials
•Shifted focus of SIM to children
and youth
•Developed strategic plan to
reflect indicators within Report
Card
•Issued a news release
•Implemented a broad
distribution strategy
•Implemented recommendations
identified in Report Card
•Developed an evaluation
strategy based on Report Card
indicators
•Developed awareness campaign
based on Report Card messages.
•Issued a joint news release
•Implemented a wide
distribution strategy aimed at
provincial elected officials
•Launched the provincial
supplement

77. inmotionGoal…
To raise the grade on physical activity
for Saskatchewan children and youth as
reported annually in the Active Healthy
Kids Canada Report Card on Physical
Activity for Children and Youth.

78. Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Supplement

79. The strength of the national Report Card is it’s
credibility & integrity.
To build on this strength and to meet the
evaluation needs of in motion, the
Saskatchewan supplement was positioned as an
extension of the national Report Card process
and remains the property of Active Healthy Kids
Canada.

80. Saskatchewan Supplement Objectives
To advance knowledge on the physical activity patterns and
practices of children & youth in Saskatchewan.
To identify gaps in provincially relevant knowledge and
encourage collaborative efforts to conduct research to fill
knowledge gaps.
To identify opportunities for Saskatchewan research efforts
to contribute to national data.

81. Identify and gather national data
Analyze all data
Synthesize data
Grade assignment
Guide the production and design
Identify research gaps
Identify recommendations
Identify and gather provincial data
Provide provincial data to AHKC
Establish relationship with
provincial researchers
Design and production
Develop and implement a
communication strategy
Develop and implement a
distribution strategy
 Develop and implement an
evaluation strategy

82. September 2009
.

83. Launch

84. Distribution
Report Card Supplements were widely distributed with a specific and
personalized “Call to Action” from Saskatchewan in motion.
-All provincial elected officials
-Directors of School Boards
-Principals of schools
-CEO’s and CMO ‘s of all health regions
-Mayors and senior administrators in all Saskatchewan communities
-Sport organizations
-Recreation Departments
-Universities
-Chambers of Commerce
-Leaders, partners and key individuals

85. Call to Action
The call to action for each audience was designed based on the
Saskatchewan in motion solution….
Families, Schools and Communities MUST share responsibility to
ensure Saskatchewan Children & Youth get the required 60 – 90
minutes of physical activity they need EVERY DAY

86. Evaluation Highlights
-All informants responded that the Supplement was most valuable because it provided
Saskatchewan-specific information.
-70% responded that the Supplement provided information that supported their
organizations mandate and policies.
-Almost all reported that they used the Supplement for advocacy purposes. Other uses
included:
-Partnership Building
-Education
-Policy Development
-Program Development
-82% agree that the Supplement is achieving its objective of increasing awareness of the
activity levels of children and youth.
-About half felt the Supplement should be produced every two years, and the other half
suggested every three years.
-There is a strong appetite to develop similar products in other provinces and territories.
-Many respondents were looking for more program ideas associated with the supplement.

87. Next Steps
The Saskatchewan Supplement continues to be a current and
relevant tool for education, advocacy, strategy and message
development in provincial and community initiatives.
The Saskatchewan physical activity research community will work
together to identify opportunities to address research gaps.
The Saskatchewan supplement will be reproduced every three
years.

88. The Active Healthy Kids Canada Report
Card and the Saskatchewan
Supplement provide the evidence and
credible messages that allow me to
speak out with confidence and passion !
Saskatchewan in motion community Champion

89. Developments in Mexico: Background
• Mexico is a middle-income
country that faces
important challenges in
terms of public health.
• The latest data released by
the National Survey of
Health shows that 73% of
deaths in the country are
related to chronic disease

90. Developments in Mexico: Background
• Overweight and obesity rates have
increased dramatically during the past
10 years, especially among young
people.
• The most recent data available
indicate that 26% of children aged 5
to 11 years are overweight or obese.
This proportion marks a 39% increase
compared to the results of the
previous National Survey in 1999.
• It is postulated that Mexican children
and youth are doing 70% less physical
activity than 30 years ago, although
quality data are lacking.

91. • Unfortunately, even though evidence
exists suggesting that physical activity
levels of children and youth have
decreased in Mexico, the current data
available are insufficient and poorly
documented.
• The level of awareness in all levels of
the population about the risk of
unhealthy diets and physical inactivity
is still poor.
• There is no systematic surveillance of
other factors related to physical
activity levels including public policy,
the school system, community
infrastructure and programming, and
the built environment.
Developments in Mexico: Background

92. • CAMBIO (Canada - Mexico
Battling Childhood Obesity) is
a multidisciplinary,
international network of
investigators participating in a
project to enhance research
capacity in the field of
Childhood Obesity in Mexico.
Has been operation since
2007, with important actions
in Mexican reality.

93. • The CAMBIO project has
implemented specific strategies
based on an ecological approach
to allow the problem to be
approached from a multi-level
perspective.
• 1) Development and Delivery of
an Annual Obesity Short-Course,
2) Development of a
Collaborative Program of
Research, 3) Student and Faculty
Exchanges, and 4) Building
Partnerships and Networking.
Working with Active Healthy Kids Canada

94. • Three month stay of a Mexican
CAMBIO member: to work with
Healthy Active Living and Obesity
Research Group (HALO) and Active
Healthy Kids Canada staff.
• Join the Report Card grade
assignment meeting in Toronto.
• To meet those involved in the Report
Card writing process.
• To join AHKC and ParticipACTION
communication meetings (design of
the cover page, tag line, image, key
messages etc).
• Be present for the Report Card
Release in Toronto.
Key Steps Taken:

95. • The submission of a sub-grant proposal through the CAMBIO Project
Grant. “Comprehensive Review of the Evidence Available to Inform the
Development of a Report Card on the Physical Activity of Mexican Children
and Youth¨.
• The submission of GHRI Grant for holders of Teasdale Corti Team Grants
and Global Health Leadership Awards.

96. Expected Results
• Mexican society will be provided with an
organization to provide advocacy, guidance and
leadership, on issues related to physical activity
among children and youth.
• A surveillance tool for monitoring the opportunities
given to children and youth to have a healthy.
• More knowledge relating to physical activity in
Mexican children and youth will be communicated.
• Awareness among key stakeholders about the
importance of physical activity will be increased.
• Data and research production relating to physical
activity in the country will be increased.
• Major gap areas for research and surveillance will
be identified.

97. Mexican Indicators
• Levels of physical activity
in children and youth.
• Public policies at federal
and state level.
• School opportunities.
• Community
infrastructure.
• Programming and built
environment.

98. Main Data Sources Consulted
• Journal articles published recently at national and
international level (via database and direct library searching).
• Data from national and international surveys (The National
Survey of Health and Nutrition).
• Unpublished documents such as theses or local surveys.
• Data collected from current programs carried out in Mexico
(Coca-cola and Pepsi programs in public schools, CAMBIO
projects).
• Government documents of public policies and built
environments.

99. Preliminary Results
DATA BASE:
• 44 Journal articles related to physical activity levels in children
and youth.
• 21 Journal articles related to school opportunities.
OTHER SOURCES:
• Public policies:
– The National Law in Sports and Physical Culture.
– 32 State Law in Sport and Physical Culture.
– The National Plan in Sport and Physical Culture (CONADE).
– 32 State Plans in Sport and Physical Culture.

100. Challenges and Next Steps
• Lack of published data.
• Establishment of Active Healthy Kids Mexico.
• Establish a Staff Work Group for Active Healthy Kids
Mexico (leader, project coordinator, research
specialists, communication specialist).
• Establish a multi-disciplinary Board of Directors to
govern Active Healthy Kids Mexico and provide advice
and direction for the report card project.
• Establish a multi-disciplinary Mexican Research
Work Group to deliberate, review, discuss and
grade the Report Card indicators.
• Key partnerships (delivery and funding)

101. Next Steps
• Finish the comprehensive review.
• Analyze data.
• Write the Report Card.
• Establish the non-governmental
organization (AHKM).
• Establish the Research Group.
• Establish the Multidisciplinary
Group.
• Funding.

102. activehealthykids.ca
Discussion Areas
• Interest to adapt to the Report Card model in your
jurisdiction.
• How to translate recommendations into action in
your jurisdiction.
• Interest to develop a Report Card across a number of
countries assessing some common indicators
internationally.