The 2014 United States report card on physical activity for children & youth (2014)

The primary goal of this Report Card is to assess levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviors in American children and youth, facilitators and barriers for physical activity, and related health outcomes. The Report Card is an authoritative, evidence-based document providing a comprehensive evaluation of the physical activity levels and the indicators influencing physical activity among children and youth in the United States (U.S). The Report Card takes an “ecological approach” to the problem of physical inactivity. The Ecological Model of Active Living illustrates how policy and the environment influence active behavior, including transportation, occupation, household, and recreation. Tracking these behaviors across the multiple levels of influence (policy, behavior settings, perceived environment, and intrapersonal factors) reveals how components within each level can influence active living. Recognizing and understanding how multiple levels of influence can affect behavior change toward a more active lifestyle is imperative to plan effective interventions and programs.