Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep (PASS) Indicators
Select an item from each list below:
| Sex | Percentage (%) | 95% CI |
|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16.4 | 12.4 - 20.4 |
| Females | 15.0 | 10.2 - 19.8 |
| Males | 17.8 | 12.0 - 23.6 |
Notes: Current Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines call for adults are to accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week, obtained in bouts of 10 minutes or more.
Source: Canadian Health Measures Survey 2016-2017
Measure Description
| Definition | To achieve health benefits, the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Adults (http://csepguidelines.ca/adults-18-64/) and the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults (http://csepguidelines.ca/adults-65/) call for 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) each week, obtained in bouts of 10 minutes or more for adults 18 to 64 years and older adults aged 65 years and older. This indicator uses accelerometer data to estimate the proportion of the Canadian adult population meeting this guideline. |
|---|---|
| Data Source | Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), Statistics Canada |
| Population | Population aged 18 to 79 years |
| Data Available | Sex, age group (5 year, life-course), highest level of education (household, respondent), household income adequacy, and trend (age-standardized) |
| Estimate Calculation | Numerator: Number of adults aged 18 to 79 who obtained at least 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per week accumulated in 10-minute bouts. Denominator: Total population, aged 18 to 79 years. Data from accelerometers was used in the analysis of this indicator, specifically the Statistics Canada derived variable AMMDPWA. |
| Additional Remarks | Physical activity can be measured both through objective methods, such as wearing an accelerometer or pedometer, and through self-reported information collected on a survey. Both methods have strengths and weaknesses. Historically, self-reported information on leisure time physical activity has been used to track the physical activity levels of adults in Canada. However, the inclusion of more sophisticated accelerometer technology on population health surveys, such as the CHMS, now allows for measurement of adherence in the same units as the guidelines. |
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.