Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators

  • Last updated: 2023-03-27

The PASS Indicators are grouped by movement behaviours and broken down by individual, family/social and built/society environment.

The Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators provides important surveillance information on physical activity, sedentary and sleep behaviours in Canadians as well as factors that influence them. The PASS Indicators include 61 unique indicators and their measures, grouped by movement behaviour (24-hour movement, physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) and three key domains: individual, family/social environment, and built/society environment.

For an overview of the 2023 edition of the PASS Indicators, see the Quick stats below. Click on any of the four activities listed under adults (aged 18+ years) or children and youth (aged 5 to 17 years). A list of all indicator groups, indicators and their measures with their corresponding pan-Canadian estimates, where available, will unfold. Additionally, a detailed description of each measure, excluding those considered “In development”, can be obtained by clicking on the “Description” link next to each measure.

To dive deeper into the pan-Canadian estimates of the PASS Indicators, click the "Data Tool" tab above. This interactive “Data Tool” provides access to all available data breakdowns by key demographic and socioeconomic variables for every measure where data is available. The 2018, 2020, 2021 and 2023 editions of the PASS Indicators are selectable in the "Data Tool". The inaugural, 2017 edition and the current 2023 edition of the PASS Indicators are available in printer-friendly PDFs for both children and youth (2017, 2023) and adults (2017, 2023).

Learn more about PASS.

Quick Stats

For more information about each indicator, click on the categories below:

Adults (18+ years)

24-Hour Movement
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual 24-Hour Movement Guidelines adherence (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who meet the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines 5.9% CHMS (2014-2015) Description
Physical activity recommendation adherence aPercentage (%) of adults who meet physical activity recommendations by accumulating at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each week 49.2% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sedentary behaviour recommendation adherence (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who meet daily sedentary behaviour recommendations for both total sedentary time and recreational screen time 19.1% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sleep recommendation adherence (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report meeting sleep recommendations by obtaining adequate daily sleep: 7-9 hours for ages 18 to 64 years and 7-8 hours for ages 65 years and older 72.7% CCHS RR (2020) Description
Physical Activity
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity amount Average number of minutes per day adults are engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 27.4 minutes CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Self-reported physical activity In development -
Occupational physical activity and active chores amount Average number of hours per week adults report doing physical activities while at work, in or around their home or while volunteering 2.5 hours CCHS (2021) Description
Leisure time physical activity amount Average number of hours per week adults report doing sports, fitness or recreational physical activities, organized or non-organized 2.0 hours CCHS (2021) Description
Sports participation amount Percentage (%) of population who reported regularly participating in any sports during the past 12 months 26.7% GSS (2016) Description
Active travel amount Percentage (%) of adults who report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places 41.7% CCHS (2021) Description
Average number of hours per week adults report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places 1.8 hours CCHS (2021) Description
Preference for physical activity (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report preferring to be physically active rather than sedentary 89.0% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Enjoyment level aPercentage (%) of adults who report that physical activity is generally pleasant 93.1% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Confidence level aPercentage (%) of adults who report they are confident in their ability to engage in physical activity 92.0% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Physical literacy In development -
Physical health status Percentage (%) of adults who report their health is "very good" or "excellent" 58.8% CCHS (2021) Description
Mental health status Percentage (%) of adults who report their mental health is "very good" or "excellent" 58.9% CCHS (2021) Description
Family/social environment Level of peer and spousal support In development -
Community norms In development -
Presence and type of barriers for physical activity In development -
Built/society environment Community walkability In development -
Presence of parks and recreation facilities aPercentage (%) of adults that "agree" or "strongly agree" that their neighbourhood has several free or low cost recreation facilities, such as parks, walking trails, bike paths, recreation centers, playgrounds or public swimming pools 87.4% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Presence of active transport infrastructure Percentage (%) of adults who report their community has infrastructure that supports walking or biking (well-maintained sidewalks or designated bike areas for biking) 78.2% CCHS RR (2011) Description
Shower access at work Percentage (%) of adults who report having access to showers or change rooms at or near work 52.7% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Community spending on sports and recreation programs In development -
Community spending on active transportation plans In development -
Sedentary Behaviour
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Total sedentary time (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults meeting daily total sedentary time recommendation 30.2% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Average number of hours per day adults spend sedentary, excluding sleep time 9.6 hours CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Recreational screen time (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults meeting recreational screen time recommendations of 3 hours per day or less 60.8% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Average number of hours per day adults report watching television, DVDs, or videos or spending time on a computer, tablet, or other hand-held electronic device e.g. watching videos, playing computer/video games, emailing or surfing the Internet 3.2 hours CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Workplace sedentary time amount In development -
Non-active travel amount In development -
Awareness level In development -
Family/social environment Presence and type of barriers for reducing sedentary behaviour In development -
Work sedentary behaviour norms In development -
Built/society environment Supportive work policies In development -
Sleep
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Nighttime sleep amount aAverage number of hours adults report sleeping per night 8.0 hours CCHS RR (2020) Description
Awareness about sleep benefits In development -
Sleep quality - sleep continuity aPercentage (%) of adults who report having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep "most of the time" or "all of the time" 19.1% CCHS (2021) Description
(NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report having excellent or good quality sleep 62.0% CCHS RR (2020) Description
Sleep quality - sleep efficiency In development -
Sleep hygiene - sleep timing (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report falling asleep between 8pm and 12am 66.6% CCHS RR (2020) Description
Sleep hygiene - stress In development -
Sleep hygiene - physical activity In development -
Sleep hygiene - caffeinated beverage consumption In development -
Family/social environment Sleep routines In development -
Built/society environment Presence and type of barriers for sleep In development -
Electronic media in the bedroom (NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report having an electronic device in the bedroom while sleeping, even if turned off 65.4% CCHS RR (2020) Description
(NEW) Percentage (%) of adults who report using electronic devices within 30 minutes of falling asleep 66.4% CCHS RR (2020) Description
Nocturnal environment noise In development -

Children and Youth (5 to 17 years)

24-Hour Movement
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual 24-hour Movement Guidelines adherence Percentage (%) of children and youth who meet the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth 9.5% CHMS (2014-2015) Description
Physical activity recommendation adherence Percentage (%) of children and youth who meet physical activity recommendations by accumulating an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day 43.9% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sedentary behaviour recommendation adherence Percentage (%) of children and youth who report meeting sedentary behaviour recommendations by spending 2 hours or less per day watching television, DVDs, or videos or spending time on a computer, tablet, or other hand-held electronic device during leisure-time 53.3% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sleep recommendation adherence Percentage (%) of children and youth who report meeting sleep recommendations by obtaining adequate sleep: 9-11 hours per night for ages 5 to 13 years and 8-10 hours per night for ages 14 to 17 years 70.7% CHMS (2014-2015) Description
Physical Activity
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity amount Average number of minutes per day children and youth are engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity 59.2 minutes CHMS (2018-2019) Description
School physical activity amount Average number of hours per week youth in Grades 6 to 10 report taking part in physical activity that makes them out of breath or warmer than usual during class time at school 2.1 hours HBSC (2018) Description
Average number of hours per week that parents report their children spend doing physical activity during class time at school 1.9 hours CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sports participation amount (leisure time) Percentage (%) of children and youth who participated in sports or physical activity with a coach or instructor in the past week 54.5% CHSCY (2019) Description
(NEW) Average number of hours per week children and youth report participating in a sport or physical activity with a coach or instructor 2.8 hours CHSCY (2019) Description
Unstructured physical activity (leisure time) Percentage (%) of children who accumulate 3 hours or less per week of active play (unstructured physical activity) outside of school 68.1% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
(NEW) Average number of hours per week that youth report participating in outdoor physical activity during free time 2.4 hours CHSCY (2019) Description
Active travel amount Percentage (%) of youth who report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places 61.0% CCHS (2021) Description
Average number of hours per week youth report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places 2.8 hours CCHS (2021) Description
Preference for physical activity (NEW) Percentage (%) of youth who report preferring to be physically active rather than sedentary 86.6% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Enjoyment level (NEW) Percentage (%) of youth who report that physical activity is generally pleasant 93.1% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Confidence level (NEW) Percentage (%) of youth who report they are confident in their ability to engage in physical activity 96.5% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Physical literacy In development -
Physical health status Percentage (%) of youth who report their health is "very good" or "excellent" 72.3% CCHS (2021) Description
Percentage (%) of parents who report the health of their child is "very good" or "excellent" 88.0% CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Mental health status Percentage (%) of youth who report their mental health is "very good" or "excellent" 62.2% CCHS (2021) Description
Percentage (%) of parents who report that their child's mental health is "very good" or "excellent" - In development
Family/social environment Level of parental support (NEW) Percentage (%) of youth who report that they do physical activity with their parents at least weekly 35.4% CHSCY (2019) Description
Level of peer support (NEW) Percentage (%) of youth who report that most of their close friends are involved in physical activity on a regular basis 57.5% CHSCY (2019) Description
Built/society environment Perceived distance to school In development -
Level of community safety Percentage (%) of Canadian parents who believe that it is unsafe for their children or youth to play outside during the day 5.8% CHSCY (2019) Description
Community walkability In development -
Presence of parks and recreation facilities aPercentage (%) of youth who "agree" or "strongly agree" that their neighbourhood has several free or low cost recreation facilities, such as parks, walking trails, bike paths, recreation centers, playgrounds or public swimming pools 90.0% CCHS RR (2017) Description
Presence of active transport infrastructure In development -
Supportive policies at school Percentage (%) of schools that have a committee that oversees policies and practices concerning physical activity (e.g. health action team) 37.1% HBSC-Admin (2018) Description
Community spending on sports and recreation programs In development -
Community spending on active transportation plans In development -
Sedentary Behaviour
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Total sedentary time Average number of hours per day children and youth spend sedentary, excluding sleep time 8.4 hours CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Recreational screen time Average number of hours per day youth report watching television, DVDs, or videos or spending time on a computer, tablet, or other hand-held electronic device e.g. watching videos, playing computer/video games, emailing or surfing the Internet 3.8 hours CHMS (2018-2019) Description
Sedentary time at school In development -
Non-active travel amount (NEW) Percentage (%) of children and youth who exclusively use non-active ways to get to school 69.6% CHSCY (2019) Description
Time spent outdoors Average number of hours per day children spend outside 2.0 hours CHMS (2014-2015) Description
(NEW) Average number of hours parents report their children play outside during their free time per week 5.0 hours CHSCY (2019) Description
Family/social environment Parental awareness level In development -
Home screen time rules In development -
Built/society environment Presence of and access to electronic media In development -
Sleep
Indicator Group Indicator Indicator Measure(s) Latest Data Source (Year) Description
Individual Amount of sleep in 24-hour period Average number of hours children and youth report sleeping in a 24-hour period 9.0 hours CHMS (2014-2015) Description
Daytime napping amount (5 years and under) In development -
Nighttime sleep amount In development -
Sleep quality - sleep continuity Percentage (%) of children and youth who report having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep "most of the time" or "all of the time" 10.4% CHMS (2014-2015) Description
Sleep quality - sleep efficiency In development -
Sleep hygiene - sleep timing In development -
Sleep hygiene - stress In development -
Sleep hygiene - physical activity In development -
Sleep hygiene - caffeinated beverage consumption In development -
Family/social environment Home sleep rules and routines (NEW) Percentage (%) of parents who report setting and enforcing regular bedtimes for their children 83.0% CHSCY (2019) Description
Built/society environment Electronic media in the bedroom Percentage (%) of children and youth who use electronic devices in the bedroom before falling asleep 45.3% CHSCY (2019) Description
Nocturnal environment noise In development -

Notes

  • Abbreviations: CCHS, Canadian Community Health Survey; CCHS RR, Canadian Community Health Survey Rapid Response; CHMS, Canadian Health Measures Survey; CHSCY, Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth; GSS, General Social Survey; HBSC, Health Behaviours in School-aged Children; HBSC-Admin, Health Behaviours in School-aged Children Administrator Survey.
  • Notes:
    • “In development” refers to measures where their data source is currently not available or that more research is needed to identify a promising measure and data source.
    • “NEW” highlights indicators not previously reported upon and/or for which the measure or data source has changed.
    • a Due to changes in survey methodology, the PASS 2023 estimates for this indicator should not be compared to those from previous PASS editions.
  • Correspondence: Behaviours, Environments and Lifespan Team, Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada, 785 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K9; Email: phac.infobase.aspc@phac-aspc.gc.ca

Suggested Citation

Center for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada. Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators, 2023 Edition. Public Health Infobase. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada, 2023.

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