Report Card Methodology

Unlike other report card publications that often rely on a single data source, the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card synthesizes data from multiple data sources, as well as from research literature. The development of indicators and the assignment of grades involve an interdisciplinary Research Work Group, including researchers from across Canada. An annual summary of research data and literature is prepared by staff at the Research Institute of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario to facilitate the review of the information. Grade assignments are determined based on examination of the current data and literature for each indicator against a benchmark or optimal scenario, assessing it to be poor, adequate, good or excellent:

A = we are succeeding with a large majority of children and youth
B = we are succeeding with well over half of children and youth
C = we are succeeding with about half of children and youth
D = we are succeeding with less than half, but some children and youth
F = we are succeeding with very few children and youth

Key considerations include trends over time, international comparisons and the presence of disparities. Analysis of trends over time and international comparisons are conducted where possible, as this information is not always available for all indicators. Disparities can be based on disabilities, race/ethnicity, immigration status, geography (provincial/territorial comparisons), socio-economic status, urban/rural setting, gender, age (e.g. adolescence), etc. When evidence of disparities exists, grades are lowered to reflect that we are not reaching the children and youth who may benefit most from physical activity opportunities.

Some indicators are stand-alone, while others are comprised of several ‘components.’ During the grade assignment meeting, each component of an indicator is assessed. Over the evolution of the Report Card, there has been an attempt to move towards indicators that are broad enough to contain various components in their assessment, so that indicators can become more consistent from year to year.