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Strengthen the Evidence for Maternal and Child Health Programs

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Evidence Tools
Physical Activity

Introduction

This toolkit summarizes content from the Physical Activity Evidence Accelerator and the MCHbest database (children, ages 6 through 11 and ages 12 through 17 (adolescent physical activity)). The peer-reviewed literature supporting this work can be found in the Established Evidence database. Use the resources below as you develop effective evidence-based/informed programs and measures.

From the MCH Block Grant Guidance. Regular physical activity can improve the health and quality of life of Americans of all ages, regardless of the presence of a chronic disease or disability. Physical activity in children improves bone health, weight status, cardiorespiratory and cardiometabolic health, and brain health, including improved cognition and reduced depressive symptoms. Physical activity reduces therisk of early life risk factors for cardiovascular disease, hypertension,TypeII diabetes, and osteoporosis. In addition to aerobic and muscle-strengthening activities, bone-strengthening activities are especially important for children and young adolescents because the majority of peak bone mass is obtained by the end of adolescence.

Goal. To increase the percent of children who are physically active.

Note. Access other related measures in this Population Domain through the Toolkits page.

Detail Sheet: Start with the MCH Block Grant Guidance

AGES 6 through 11

DEFINITION

Numerator:

Number of children, ages 6 through 11, who are reported by a parent to be physically active at least 60 minutes per day in the past week

Denominator:

Number of children, ages 6 through 11

Units: 100

Text: Percent

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030 OBJECTIVE

Related to Physical Activity Objective 09: Increase the proportion of children who meet the current aerobic physical activity guideline. (Baseline:25.9% of children aged 6 to 13 years met the current aerobic physical activity guideline in 2016-17, Target: 30.4%)

DATA SOURCES

National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH)

MCH POPULATION DOMAIN

Child Health

MEASURE DOMAIN

Clinical Health Systems

AGES 12 through 17

Numerators:

Number of adolescents, ages 12 through 17, who are reported by a parent to be physically active at least 60 minutes per day in the past week (NSCH)
Number of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 who report being physically active at least 60 minutes per day in the past week (YRBSS)

Denominators:

Number of adolescents ages 12 through 17 (NSCH)
Number of adolescents in grades 9 through 12 (YRBSS)

Units: 100

Text: Percent

HEALTHY PEOPLE 2030 OBJECTIVE

Identical (YRBSS) to PA Objective 06: Increase the proportion of adolescents who meet the current aerobic physical activity guideline. (Baseline: 26.1% of students in grades 9 through 12 were physically active for at least 60 minutes on all 7 days of the past week in 2017, Target: 30.6%)

DATA SOURCES

National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH); Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)

MCH POPULATION DOMAIN

Adolescent Health

MEASURE DOMAIN

Health Behavior

 

1. Accelerate with EvidenceStart with the Science

The first step to accelerate effective, evidence-based/informed programs is ensuring that the strategies we implement are meaningful and have high potential to affect desired change. Read more about using evidence-based/informed programs and then use this section to find strategies that you can adopt or adapt for your needs.

Evidence-based/Informed Strategies: MCHbest Database

The following strategies have emerged from studies in the scientific literature as being effective in advancing the measure. Use the links below to read more about each strategy or access the MCHbest database to find additional strategies.

Chart of Evidence-Linked Strategies and Tools

Evidence-Informed

Evidence-Based

Mixed Evidence

Emerging Evidence

Expert Opinion

Moderate Evidence

Scientifically Rigorous

Field-Based Strategies: Find promising programs from AMCHP’s Innovation Hub

2. Think Upstream with Planning ToolsLead with the Need

The second step in developing effective, evidence-based/informed programs challenges us to plan upstream to ensure that our work addresses issues early and is measurable in “turning the curve” on big issues that face MCH populations. Read more about moving from root causes to responsive programs and then use this section to align your work with the data and needs of your populations.

Move from Need to Strategy

Use Root-Cause Analysis (RCA) and Results-Based Accountability (RBA) tools to build upon the science to determine how to address needs.

Planning Tools: Use these tools to move from data to action

3. Work Together with Implementation ToolsMove from Planning to Practice

The third step in developing effective, evidence-based/informed programs calls us to work together to ensure that programs are implementable and moveable within the realities of Title V programs and lead to improved health outcomes for all people. Read more about implementation tools designed for MCH population change and then use this section to develop responsive strategies to bring about change that is responsive to the needs of your populations.

Additional MCH Evidence Center Resources: Access supplemental materials from the literature

Implementation Resources: Use these field-generated resources to affect change

Practice. The following tools can be used to translate evidence to action for this NPM/SM:

Partnership. The following organizations focus efforts on supporting physical activity:

  • SHAPE America. Supports professionals who promote lifelong and physical activity and recreation for all children and adolescents. 
  • Girls on the Run. Underscores the connection between physical and emotional health to address the whole girl when she needs it most.  
  • American Heart Association. Supports various policies that make physical activity safe and accessible for all children and youth.  

Additional Resources:

  • Rural Obesity Prevention Toolkit (Rural Health Information Hub): This evidence-based toolkit is designed to help identify factors in communities that promote obesity, convene partners to help address those problems, and apply proven obesity prevention strategies.
  • Data Resource Center for Child and Adolescent Health (DRC): A project of the Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative, the DRC is a national data resource providing easy access to children’s health data on a variety of important topics, including the health and well-being of children and access to quality care.

References

Introductory References: From the MCH Block Grant Guidance

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2018. https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/Physical_Activity_Guidelines_2nd_edition.pdf: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2018.1524.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number U02MC31613, MCH Advanced Education Policy, $3.5 M. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.