I have found these two reports of interest, both published towards the end of August. Key findings are below.
Child Wellbeing
Public Health England has published a paper on which reveals how too much time in front of screens combined with a sedentary lifestyle is taking its toll on our children’s well being.
Key findings include:
Children who spend more time on computers, watching TV and playing video games tend to experience higher levels of emotional distress, anxiety and depression, with the relationship particularly negative in those engaging in more 4+ hours screen time per day.
Over 70% of young people aged 11, 13 and 15 do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity, which is associated with improved concentration levels, positive social behaviour and lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Between 34% and 47% of young people aged 11, 13 or 15 reported eating fruit and or vegetables every day, with girls reporting higher levels of consumption than boys.
Maternal wellbeing was associated positively with young people’s wellbeing
Child Participation
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport published the Taking Part 2012/13 Annual Child Report with the results of a survey of 2000 children aged 5-15 on cultural engagement and sport participation.
Key findings include:
- 72% of children had visited a heritage site in the last 12 months and 10% had visited in the last week
- 73% of children had visited a library in the last 12 months and 21% had done so in the last week
- 83% of children had participated in some form of competitive sport in the last 12 months, with 79% having taken part in school and 37% having taken part outside of school
- There has been a decrease in the rate of 5-10 year olds who have participated in rounders, gymnastics, walking or hiking or angling or fishing since 2010/11
- There has been an increase since 2010/11 in the rate of 11-15 year olds playing cricket, dodgeball, rounders, tennis, jogging, roadrunning or taking part in athletics
- 52% of 5-10 year olds and 60% 11-15 year olds had been encouraged to take part in sport a lot or a little as a result of London 2012
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