title: Limitations of Canada's physical activity data: implications for monitoring trends.
abstract: The current low level of physical activity among Canadians is a dominant public health concern. Accordingly, a clear understanding of physical activity patterns and trends is of paramount importance. Irregularities in monitoring, analysis, and reporting procedures create potential confusion among researchers, policy-makers, and the public alike. The purpose of this paper is to consolidate reported findings and provide a critical assessment of the physical activity surveillance procedures, analytical practices, and reporting protocols currently employed in Canada to provide insights for accurate and consistent interpretation of data, as well as recommendations for future surveillance efforts.
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Department of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. peter.katzmarzyk@pbrc.edu
authors.forename: Peter T
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Katzmarzyk
authors.forename: Mark S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tremblay
mesh_terms: D002170:Canada; D003625:Data Collection; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008019:Life Style; D009043:Motor Activity; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors