The World Health Organisation (WHO) report: ‘Health Behaviour in School Aged Children'

The Decline of Exercise and Healthy Eating Habits Among children and Young People in the UK

The World Health Organisation (WHO) recently published a study called ‘Health Behaviour in School Aged children’ coordinated by Dr Jo Inchley, covering 44 countries that revealed England, Wales, and Scotland rank near the bottom of a world league table on how much children move, performing poorly on markers such as day-to-day exercise like brisk walking. While there have been improvements in areas such as children eating daily fruit and vegetables, worrying data shows children are still not consuming enough to meet healthy eating recommendations and not all children have breakfast on a school day.
The data shows stark differences between children from poorer backgrounds when compared with more affluent peers. They are less likely to eat well or exercise, emphasising the disparities within the UK.

The WHO study sheds light on the concerning trends in physical activity and dietary habits among young people in the UK. The data indicates a decline in day-to-day exercise and a lack of adherence to healthy eating recommendations. Moreover, stark differences in behaviours based on socioeconomic backgrounds highlight the disparities in access to nutritious food and opportunities for physical activity.

The survey looked at the lives of children aged 11, 13 and 15 living in Europe, Central Asia and Canada. It included over 4,000 children in England, 4,000 in Scotland plus children in Welsh schools.
The data showed 30% of girls and 18% of boys in England are inactive across all age groups surveyed, while the figure in Wales is 27% for girls and 17% for boys.

In Scotland, 21% of girls are inactive and 12% of boys.

At age 15, a mere 11% of girls and 16% of boys in England take part in 60 minutes a day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, which can include brisk walking, cycling or rollerblading. The data showed 7% of girls and 16% of boys in Wales and 12% of girls and 21% of boys in Scotland.

The figures put England and Wales near the bottom of the global table, and below other European counties including Spain, Sweden, Norway and Croatia. There are slightly notable improvements for more vigorous activity, such as team sports, but the UK still performs below the average for all countries in the study.

Factors such as reduced outdoor play and increased sedentary behaviours contribute to this trend. The impact of decreased physical activity on the overall health and wellbeing of young individuals and in particular the decline in exercise levels, particularly in girls, is a huge a cause for concern and necessitating immediate attention.

In addition to the lack of physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits are prevalent among young people in the UK. The study highlights a decrease in breakfast consumption, with a significant number of children skipping this important meal. This behaviour can negatively affect learning abilities and concentration in school. Only 37% of 13-year-old girls and 59% of boys in England eat breakfast on weekdays, while the figure is 33% and 54% respectively in Wales and 36% and 61% in Scotland.

This is below other European countries including Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Italy and Norway. Girls in England, Wales and Scotland are less likely to eat breakfast than the average for all countries in the study. By age 15, a mere 35% of girls in England eat breakfast daily on weekdays as do 51% of boys. Moreover, only 46% of girls and 43% of boys aged 11 in England eat fruit daily, as do 38% of girls and 35% of boys in Wales and 54% of girls and 52% of boys in Scotland. The importance of breakfast consumption is evidently known for setting a positive tone for the day and its association with overall health outcomes.

Furthermore, disparities in eating habits based on socioeconomic status are evident in the study. Children from affluent families are more likely to consume vegetables and have healthier eating patterns compared to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. The challenges faced by young individuals in accessing fresh produce and overcoming cultural barriers to healthy eating are significant contributors to these disparities.

Dr Hans Kluge, WHO director for Europe has commented on the report, “Regular physical activity, healthy eating habits and maintaining a healthy weight are essential elements of a healthy lifestyle. The report's findings signal a need for targeted interventions to enable adolescents to adopt healthier behaviours and avoid habits that affect not only their current health and wellbeing, but their future trajectories as adults”

Vanessa King, ADCEO of afPE comments on the report:

“The findings of the WHO study underscore the urgent need to address the decline in physical activity and healthy eating habits among young people in the UK. The disparities based on socioeconomic backgrounds highlight the need for targeted interventions to promote healthier behaviours. By emphasising the importance of regular physical activity, nutritious eating habits, and maintaining a healthy weight, efforts can be made to improve the overall health and wellbeing of young individuals. It is imperative for policymakers, educators, and parents to work together to create environments that support and encourage healthy lifestyles among the youth.”