A global study of children’s physical activity and wellbeing has revealed shortfalls in activity among Scotland’s kids – and those across the world – have been exacerbated by the pandemic.

A report published today by Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance (AHKGA), assessing trends in child and adolescent physical activity from 57 countries, has found that Scotland’s kids face worsening inequalities with low physical activity, high levels of screen time, high obesity – as early as Primary 1 – and poor diet.

In the most deprived areas in Scotland, 53% of children were found not to be engaging in sport, compared with just 18% in the least deprived. Researchers found that just 4% of kids in the most deprived areas – compared with 19% in the least deprived – had been on outdoor excursions in the previous 12 months.

Scotland’s results, in common with other high-income countries, reveal worsening inequalities between the most and least deprived children, with the study concluding:

‘Despite a decade of favourable policy, physical activity and health of children and youth has not improved, and marked socioeconomic inequalities persist in Scotland.’

Scotland’s ‘report card’ calls for improved national monitoring of strategies on children’s physical health, as researchers say that despite ‘creditable policies in Scotland’, few have systems to monitor and evaluate progress.

There was also found to be a lack of specific policy on screen time and, despite policies on activity and diet being at a high quality, these have not been fully implemented, according to the researchers.

Professor John Reilly from the University of Strathclyde’s School of Psychological Sciences & Health said:

“The Global Matrix 4.0 represents the largest compilation of information to date on levels of physical activity of children and adolescents, and the data show a failing grade across the world. 

“Scotland is no exception, and things did not improve in the decade prior to covid-19.”

While the University of Strathclyde was the Scottish lead, the University of Glasgow’s MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Science Unit, the universities of Aberdeen and Stirling and Robert Gordon University collaborated on the study.

The study assigns a global ‘D’ grade in its system – indicating that fewer than half of the world’s children are reaching good levels of physical activity, and rankings are provided for different aspects of activity and health.

Scotland’s rankings include an F for Sedentary Behaviours like screen time, meaning systems to support success in balancing this sedentary behaviour are reaching very few children.

Some areas fared better than others with a B- for both Community and Environment and Sport and Physical Activity, representing success in reaching over half of Scots children.

In Scotland’s report, researchers said that last decade was characterised by significant changes to the physical activity and health landscape for children and adolescents. In particular, they emphasised the UK government cuts to public spending and other policies which increased child poverty and health inequalities.

Five key areas – including active play, obesity, diet and physical fitness – were graded inconclusive due to decreased surveillance during the pandemic.

Scotland was one of only three countries to assign Overall Physical Activity as inconclusive and researchers are calling for greater monitoring and to track progress. One of the most recurring priorities outlined in today’s global report was increasing opportunities for being physically active in school through active breaks, extracurricular programs and increasing the amount of physical education per week at all levels.

Additionally, the need for data on children under five years old is vital, with the report recommending that physical activity be promoted as early possible given that early childhood is “a period of rapid physical and cognitive development”.

Although the research indicates ‘particularly concerning’ changes in children’s physical activity and health due to the pandemic, a more detailed assessment of covid-19 impacts is expected in the next report card.

Read more: Health poverty hits halfway through pregnancy; Public health concerns voiced for Ayrshire's children; Can Scotland make health fairer?

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