Results From Japan’s 2016 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth
in Journal of Physical Activity and HealthClick name to view affiliation
Background:
The Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth aims to consolidate existing evidence, encourage greater evidence-informed physical activity, and improve surveillance of physical activity.
Methods:
The Japan report card followed the methodology of the Canadian and Scottish report cards, but was adapted to reflect the Japanese context. Nationally representative data were used to score each of the respective indicators.
Results:
The 2016 Japan Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth consists of Health Behaviors and Outcomes (7 indicators), and Influences on Health Behaviors (4 indicators). Three Health Behaviors and Outcomes received C grades (Participation in Sport; Sedentary Behavior; Recreational Screen Time; Physical Fitness), while 2 indicators could not be graded (Overall Physical Activity, and Active Play). The indicators Active Transportation (B) and Weight Status were favorable (A). In the Influences domain, Family Influence and Community and the Built Environment were graded as D, while School and Government Strategies and Investments were favorable (B).
Conclusions:
The Japan report card illustrated some favorable health behaviors, health outcomes, and influences. There is a need for more evidence especially on overall physical activity levels, active play, and community and the built environment.
C Tanaka is with the Division of Integrated Sciences, J. F. Oberlin University, Tokyo, Japan. S Tanaka is with the Dept of Nutritional Science, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan. Inoue is with the Dept of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. Miyachi is with the Dept of Health Promotion and Exercise, National Institute of Health and Nutrition, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Tokyo, Japan. Suzuki is with the Dept of Sports Science, Juntendo University, Tokyo, Japan. Reilly is with the Physical Activity for Health Group, School of Psychological, Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland. C Tanaka (c-tanaka@obirin.ac.jp) is corresponding author.
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