Improving National and International Surveillance of Movement Behaviours in Childhood and Adolescence: An International Modified Delphi Study
Authors: Reilly John J. , Andrew Rachel , Abdeta Chalchisa , Azevedo Liane B. , Farias Nicolas Aguilar , Barak Sharon , Bardid Farid , Bizzozero-Peroni Bruno , Brazo-Sayavera Javier , Cagas Jonathan Y. , Chelly Mohamed-Souhaiel , Christiansen Lars B. , Djordjic Visnja D. , Draper Catherine E. , El-Hamdouchi Asmaa , Fares Elie-Jacques , Gába Aleš , Hesketh Kylie D. , Hossain Mohammad Sorowar , Huang Wendy , Jáuregui Alejandra , Juvekar Sanjay K. , Kuzik Nicholas , Larouche Richard , Lee Eun-Young , Levi Sharon , Liu Yang , Löf Marie , Loney Tom , Gil Jose Francisco Lopez , Mäestu Evelin , Manyanga Taru , Martins Clarice , Mendoza-Muñoz Maria , Morrison Shawnda A. , Munambah Nyaradzai , Mwase-Vuma Tawonga W. , Naidoo Rowena , Ocansey Reginald , Okely Anthony D. , Oluwayomi Aoko , Paudel Susan , Poh Bee Koon , Ribeiro Evelyn H. , Silva Diego Augusto Santos , Shahril Mohd Razif , Smith Melody , Staiano Amanda E. , Standage Martyn , Subedi Narayan , Tanaka Chiaki , Tang Hong K. , Thivel David , Tremblay Mark S. , Uzicanin Edin , Vlachopoulos Dimitris , Webster E. Kipling , Widyastari Dyah Anantalia , Zembura Pawel , Aubert Salome 
Published: October 2024

Background

The actions required to achieve higher-quality and harmonised global surveillance of child and adolescent movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour including screen time, sleep) are unclear.

Objective

To identify how to improve surveillance of movement behaviours, from the perspective of experts.

Methods

This Delphi Study involved 62 experts from the SUNRISE International Study of Movement Behaviours in the Early Years and Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA). Two survey rounds were used, with items categorised under: (1) funding, (2) capacity building, (3) methods, and (4) other issues (e.g., policymaker awareness of relevant WHO Guidelines and Strategies). Expert participants ranked 40 items on a five-point Likert scale from ‘extremely’ to ‘not at all’ important. Consensus was defined as > 70% rating of ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ important.

Results

We received 62 responses to round 1 of the survey and 59 to round 2. There was consensus for most items. The two highest rated round 2 items in each category were the following; for funding (1) it was greater funding for surveillance and public funding of surveillance; for capacity building (2) it was increased human capacity for surveillance (e.g. knowledge, skills) and regional or global partnerships to support national surveillance; for methods (3) it was standard protocols for surveillance measures and improved measurement method for screen time; and for other issues (4) it was greater awareness of physical activity guidelines and strategies from WHO and greater awareness of the importance of surveillance for NCD prevention. We generally found no significant differences in priorities between low-middle-income (n = 29) and high-income countries (n = 30) or between SUNRISE (n = 20), AHKGA (n = 26) or both (n = 13) initiatives. There was a lack of agreement on using private funding for surveillance or surveillance research.

Conclusions

This study provides a prioritised and international consensus list of actions required to improve surveillance of movement behaviours in children and adolescents globally.