Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators
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 55 unique indicators and their measures, grouped by movement behaviour (physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep) and three key domains: individual, family/social environment, and built/society environment.
For an overview of the 2021 edition of the PASS Indicators, see the Quick Stats Overview below. Click on any of the three 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 and 2021 editions of the PASS Indicators are selectable in the "Data Tool". The inaugural, 2017 edition of the PASS Indicators is available in printer-friendly PDFs for both children and youth and adults.
The PASS visual model of the conceptual framework for surveillance is also available.
Quick Stats Overview
For more information about each indicator, click on the categories below:
Adults (18+ years)
Physical Activity
| Indicator Group | Indicator | Indicator Measure(s) | Latest Data | Source (Year) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Physical activity guideline adherence | Percentage (%) of adults who meet physical activity guidelines by accumulating at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more | 16.4% | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description |
| Total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity amount | Average number of minutes per day adults are engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity | 26.0 minutes | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description | |
| 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 | 2.6 hours | CCHS (2018) | 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, that lasted a minimum of 10 continuous minutes | 1.7 hours | CCHS (2018) | 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 | aPercentage (%) of adults who report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places | 46.2% | CCHS (2018) | Description | |
| Average number of hours per week adults report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places | 1.7 hours | CCHS (2018) | Description | ||
| Intention level | Percentage (%) of adults who, when thinking about the next six months, intend to be physically active | 73.9% | PAM (2014-2015) | Description | |
| Enjoyment level | Percentage (%) of adults who report that physical activity is generally pleasant | 87.0% | PAM (2014-2015) | Description | |
| Confidence level | Percentage (%) of adults who report they are confident that they could regularly do a total of 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity three or four times a week | 67.0% | PAM (2014-2015) | Description | |
| Physical literacy | In development | - | |||
| Physical health status | Percentage (%) of adults who report their health is "very good" or "excellent" | 60.1% | CCHS (2019) | Description | |
| Mental health status | Percentage (%) of adults who report their mental health is "very good" or "excellent" | 66.7% | CCHS (2019) | 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 | Percentage (%) of adults that "somewhat 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, public swimming pools, etc. | 78.1% | CCHS RR (2011) | 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 | 45.6% | CCHS (2007-2008) | 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 amount | Average number of hours per day adults spend sedentary, excluding sleep time | 9.5 hours | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description |
| Recreational screen time amount | 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 | Average number of hours adults report sleeping in a 24-hour period | 7.2 hours | CHMS (2014-2015) | Description |
| Awareness about sleep benefits | In development | - | |||
| Sleep quality - sleep continuity | Percentage (%) of adults who report having trouble going to sleep or staying asleep "most of the time" or "all of the time" | 24.9% | 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 | Sleep routines | In development | - | ||
| Built/society environment | Presence and type of barriers for sleep | In development | - | ||
| Electronic media in the bedroom | In development | - | |||
| Nocturnal environment noise | In development | - |
Children and Youth (5 to 17 years)
Physical Activity
| Indicator Group | Indicator | Indicator Measure(s) | Latest Data | Source (Year) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Individual | Physical activity recommendation adherence | Percentage (%) of children and youth who meet physical activity recommendations by accumulating at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per day | 39.2% | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description |
| Total moderate-to-vigorous physical activity amount | Average number of minutes per day children and youth are engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity | 63.4 minutes | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description | |
| 24-hour movement | Percentage (%) of children and youth who meet the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth | 9.5% | CHMS (2014-2015) | 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 | 2.3 hours | HBSC (2014) | 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) | (New) 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 | |
| Active play amount (leisure time) | Percentage (%) of children who accumulate 3 hours or less per week of active play (unstructured physical activity) outside of school | 54.1% | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description | |
| Active travel amount | aPercentage (%) of youth who report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places | 75.5% | CCHS (2018) | Description | |
| Average number of hours per week youth report using active ways like walking or cycling to get to places | 3.2 hours | CCHS (2018) | Description | ||
| Intention level | In development | - | |||
| Enjoyment level | Percentage (%) of youth who report they enjoy being physically active | - | In development | ||
| Confidence level | Percentage (%) of youth who report they are confident in their ability to be physically active | - | In development | ||
| Physical literacy | In development | - | |||
| Physical health status | Percentage (%) of youth who report their health is "very good" or "excellent" | 75.6% | CCHS (2019) | 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 | aPercentage (%) of youth who report their mental health is "very good" or "excellent" | 72.4% | CCHS (2019) | Description | |
| Percentage (%) of parents who report their child's mental health is "very good" or "excellent" | - | In development | |||
| Family/social environment | Level of parental support | Percentage (%) of Canadian parents who report "often" or "very often" playing active games with their children in the past year | 36.1% | PAM (2014-2015) | Description |
| Level of peer support | Percentage (%) of youth in Grades 9 and 10 who report that most of their friends "often" participate in organized sports activities with others | 58.2% | HBSC (2014) | Description | |
| Built/society environment | Perceived distance to school | In development | - | ||
| Level of community safety | (New) 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 | Percentage (%) of youth who "somewhat 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, public swimming pools, etc. | 79.2% | CCHS RR (2011) | 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) | 42.3% | HBSC - Admin (2014) | 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 | 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 |
| Amount of sedentary time | Average number of hours per day children and youth spend sedentary, excluding sleep time | 8.2 hours | CHMS (2016-2017) | Description | |
| Recreational screen time amount | 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 | In development | - | |||
| Time spent outdoors | Average number of hours per day children spend outside | 2.0 hours | CHMS (2014-2015) | 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 | 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 |
| 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 | Percentage (%) of parents who report they set regular bedtimes for their children and enforce them | - | In development | |
| Built/society environment | Electronic media in the bedroom | (New) 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; PAM, Physical Activity Monitor.
- 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 2021 estimates for this indicator should not be compared to those from previous PASS editions. This indicator has been modified in the 2021 edition of the PASS indicators.
- 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 (adults): Center for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada. Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators, Quick Stats, Adults (18+ years), 2021 Edition. Public Health Infobase. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada, 2021.
- Suggested citation (children and youth): Center for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada. Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators, Quick Stats, Children and Youth (5 to 17 years), 2021 Edition. Public Health Infobase. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada, 2021.
Suggested Citation
Center for Surveillance and Applied Research, Public Health Agency of Canada. Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators Data Tool, 2021 Edition. Public Health Infobase. Ottawa (ON): Public Health Agency of Canada, 2021.