Global Child and Youth Physical Activity

Physical activity is associated with numerous health benefits; however, global surveillance of physical activity patterns among children and youth is limited. To date, there are no validated questionnaires which adequately capture physical activity among this sensitive cohort.

To address this gap, our team of international experts is developing a new app-based Global Adolescent and Child Physical Activity Questionnaire (GAC-PAQ) among 5-to-17-year-olds in 14 low-, middle- and high-income countries representing all continents (N=7000). This tool will be the first comprehensive measure of physical activity, including active play, across cultural contexts for children and youth.

The CHANGE Research Lab (Co-I, Dr. Bhawra) is collaborating with Drs. Richard Larouche (Study PI, University of Lethbridge) and Anuradha Khadilkar (Jehangir Hospital, Pune, India) to validate the GAC-PAQ among Indian children and adolescents. This study is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.