Wales' children are among the most inactive in the world according to a new global study involving 60 countries. The findings have been described as a "cause for concern for the future health and wellbeing of people in Wales."
Swansea University researchers graded children and young people's physical activity levels across 11 'quality indicators'. It found that half of three to 17-year-olds exercised the recommended 60 minutes a day, dropping to a fifth for 11 to 16-year-olds, leaving Wales' children among the most inactive.
The authors of the '2021 Active Healthy Kids (AHK) Wales Report Card' said evidence suggested things have got worse since the pandemic hit, with children working out even less. In terms of the amount of time children spent sat down, Wales was given an 'F', however the country was given a B+ for PE and sport in schools.
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Grades were assigned as follows:
- Overall physical activity: F
- Organised sport and physical activity: C
- Active play: C+
- Active transportation: C-
- Sedentary behaviours: F
- Physical fitness: C-
- Family and peer influences: D+
- School: B-
- Community and the built environment: C
- National government and policy: C
- Physical literacy: C-
Lead author of the report Amie Richards, of Swansea University's Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre, said: "This report card is a cause for concern for the future health and wellbeing of people in Wales, particularly as there is now compelling evidence that physical activity has further decreased during the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that the results from this report card will be used to inform the decision making of policy makers, practitioners and educators to improve children and young people's activity levels and opportunities and decrease inequalities."
Evidence for the report was gathered through surveys and organisations including Play Wales, Sport Wales and the National Dance Company of Wales.
Marianne Mannello, assistant director of policy, support and advocacy of Play Wales said: "Playing has positive impacts on important long-term health outcomes including increased physical activity, improving wellbeing in children, and helping to develop resilience.
"Of equal importance is the immediate enjoyment playing brings to children and their families. The data for the Active Play Indicator shows that children continue to ask for better places to play outdoors and report similar barriers to play year on year. It is vital that we listen to children's views and remove the barriers to play. This will help them support their own wellbeing, experiencing a happy and healthy childhood."
Amie Richards added: "There are many actions that families can take to improve the physical activity of children, to build back better and stronger after the Covid-19 pandemic and explore the wonderful natural environment that Wales has to offer all its communities."
The Welsh Government said it funded a range of sport and leisure activities for children through Sport Wales and delivered by councils, sports clubs and partners including youth organisations. It added it would spend £24m developing community sports facilities over the next three years.
A spokeswoman said: "Health and wellbeing is a mandatory part of the new curriculum for Wales, which will start to be introduced this September. Our Healthy Weight: Healthy Wales strategy is also currently developing a daily active programme to incorporate more physical activity within the school day."
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