Global Matrix 4.0 Physical Activity Report Card Grades for Children and Adolescents: Results and Analyses From 57 Countries
Authors: Aubert Salomé , Barnes Joel D. , Demchenko Iryna , Hawthorne Myranda , Abdeta Chalchisa , Abi Nader Patrick , Adsuar Sala José Carmelo , Aguilar-Farias Nicolas , Aznar Susana , Bakalár Peter , Bhawra Jasmin , Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Bringas Mikel , Cagas Jonathan Y. , Carlin Angela , Chang Chen-Kang , Chen Bozhi , Christiansen Lars Breum , Christie Candice Jo-Anne , De Roia Gabriela Fernanda , Delisle Nyström Christine , Demetriou Yolanda , Djordjic Visnja , Emeljanovas Arunas , Findling Endy Liri , Gába Aleš , Galaviz Karla I. , González Silvia A. , Hesketh Kylie D. , Huang Wendy Yajun , Hubona Omphile , Jeon Justin Y. , Jurakić Danijel , Jürimäe Jaak , Katapally Tarun Reddy , Katewongsa Piyawat , Katzmarzyk Peter T. , Kim Yeon-Soo , Lambert Estelle Victoria , Lee Eun-Young , Levi Sharon , Lobo Pablo , Löf Marie , Loney Tom , López-Gil José Francisco , López-Taylor Juan , Mäestu Evelin , Mahendra Agus , Makaza Daga , Mallari Marla Frances T. , Manyanga Taru , Masanovic Bojan , Morrison Shawnda A. , Mota Jorge , Müller-Riemenschneider Falk , Muñoz Bermejo Laura , Murphy Marie H. , Naidoo Rowena , Nguyen Phuong , Paudel Susan , Pedišić Željko , Pérez-Gómez Jorge , Reilly John J. , Reimers Anne Kerstin , Richards Amie B. , Santos Silva Diego Augusto , Saonuam Pairoj , Sarmiento Olga L. , Sember Vedrana , Shahril Mohd Razif , Smith Melody , Standage Martyn , Stratton Gareth , Subedi Narayan , Tammelin Tuija H. , Tanaka Chiaki , Tesler Riki , Thivel David , Tladi Dawn Mahube , Tlučáková Lenka , Vanderloo Leigh M. , Williams Alun , Wong Stephen Heung Sang , Wu Ching-Lin , Zembura Paweł , Tremblay Mark S. 
Published: October 2022

Background: The Global Matrix 4.0 on physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents was developed to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the global variation in children’s and adolescents’ (5–17 y) PA, related measures, and key sources of influence. The objectives of this article were (1) to summarize the findings from the Global Matrix 4.0 Report Cards, (2) to compare indicators across countries, and (3) to explore trends related to the Human Development Index and geo-cultural regions. Methods: A total of 57 Report Card teams followed a harmonized process to grade the 10 common PA indicators. An online survey was conducted to collect Report Card Leaders’ top 3 priorities for each PA indicator and their opinions on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted child and adolescent PA indicators in their country. Results: Overall Physical Activity was the indicator with the lowest global average grade (D), while School and Community and Environment were the indicators with the highest global average grade (C+). An overview of the global situation in terms of surveillance and prevalence is provided for all 10 common PA indicators, followed by priorities and examples to support the development of strategies and policies internationally. Conclusions: The Global Matrix 4.0 represents the largest compilation of children’s and adolescents’ PA indicators to date. While variation in data sources informing the grades across countries was observed, this initiative highlighted low PA levels in children and adolescents globally. Measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, local/international conflicts, climate change, and economic change threaten to worsen this situation.