Results From the 2024 United States Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth

Abstract

Background: Population-level physical activity surveillance is critical for informing research, practice, and policy efforts for supporting healthy development. The 2024 US Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth synthesizes the most recent national data on physical activity levels and supports among US children and youth.

Methods: A committee of experts evaluated 12 indicators related to physical activity in children and youth using the best available national data for each indicator. Based on established criteria from the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, letter grades (A-F) were assigned to the indicators to reflect how well the United States is succeeding at providing children and youth with opportunities for physical activity. Key metrics within select indicators were evaluated for differences among racial/ethnic and disability subgroups and trends over time since the first report card (2014) or earliest available data.

Results: Sufficient data were available to assign grades for 8 indicators. The grades ranged from B- to D-, with Overall Physical Activity earning a D-. Racial/ethnic disparities were observed for the Overall Physical Activity, Organized Sport, Sedentary Behavior, Sleep, and Community and Built Environment indicators. Key metrics for Overall Physical Activity and Active Transportation metrics decreased slightly over the past decade, whereas larger decreases were observed for Organized Sport and Sedentary Behavior metrics.

Conclusions: Findings highlight opportunities to improve physical activity levels and supports among US children and youth. The 2024 Report Card can be a tool for informing research and practice at the local and national levels.

Keywords: active transport; physical education; sedentary behavior; sports; surveillance.