Results from the Philippines' 2022 report card on physical activity for children and adolescents

Jonathan Y Cagas; Marla Frances T Mallari; Beatriz A Torre; Mary-Grace D P Kang; Yves Y Palad; Roselle M Guisihan; Maria Isabela Aurellado; Chessa Sanchez-Pituk; John Guiller P Realin; Marvin Luis C Sabado; Marie Eloisa D Ulanday; Jacqueline F Baltasar; Mona Liza A Maghanoy; Ralph Andrew A Ramos; Revin Aaron B Santos; Catherine M Capio

doi:10.1016/j.jesf.2022.10.001

Results from the Philippines' 2022 report card on physical activity for children and adolescents

J Exerc Sci Fit. 2022 Oct;20(4):382-390. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.10.001. Epub 2022 Oct 7.

Authors

Jonathan Y Cagas¹, Marla Frances T Mallari¹, Beatriz A Torre², Mary-Grace D P Kang³, Yves Y Palad³, Roselle M Guisihan³, Maria Isabela Aurellado¹, Chessa Sanchez-Pituk⁴, John Guiller P Realin⁴, Marvin Luis C Sabado⁵, Marie Eloisa D Ulanday⁵, Jacqueline F Baltasar⁴, Mona Liza A Maghanoy¹, Ralph Andrew A Ramos¹, Revin Aaron B Santos¹, Catherine M Capio⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Sports Science, College of Human Kinetics, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
² Department of Psychology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
³ Department of Physical Therapy, College of Allied Medical Professions, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila City, Philippines.
⁴ Department of Physical Education, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila City, Philippines.
⁵ Department of Physical Education, College of Human Kinetics, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
⁶ The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Background/objective: The 2022 Philippine Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents provides a comprehensive assessment of physical activity and other related behaviors, including the various factors and settings that influence these behaviors. It serves as an advocacy tool to increase awareness of the physical activity situation among children and young people in the country. This article describes the development and results of the first Philippine Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Adolescents.

Methods: Following a systematic process provided by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, a team consisting of 25 sports and physical activity specialists identified and reviewed the best available nationally representative data related to physical activity indicators. These data were then used to inform the grades of the ten (10) physical activity indicators.

Results: Sufficient data were identified to assign grades to five (5) indicators: Overall Physical Activity (F), Active Transportation (D), Sedentary Behavior (B), School (C-), and Government (B). Insufficient data existed to assign grades to the remaining five (5) indicators: Organized Sport and Physical Activity, Active Play, Physical Fitness, Family and Peers, and Community and Environment.

Conclusion: Despite government policies related to physical activity in the country, the majority of children and adolescents in the Philippines do not meet the recommended amount of physical activity for health. More work is needed to improve the translation of these policies into measurable programs, highlighting the need to create better physical activity opportunities and develop national surveillance mechanisms.

Keywords: AHKGA, Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance; Active living; FNRI ENNS, Food and Nutrition Research Institute Enhanced National Nutrition Survey; Low-to-middle income countries; PA, physical activity; Physical activity promotion; Physical fitness; Public health; SB, sedentary behavior; Sedentary behavior; YAFS4, Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey 4.