1. Physical Activity & Sedentary
behaviours: Children and Young
People in Scotland
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Seymour Changes
27/11/2017
2. Outline of talk
Background
Benefits of Physical Activity
Recommended Levels
Current Levels in Scotland
Sedentary behaviour
Health risks of increased sedentary time
‘Screen Time’: Children & Young People in Scotland
What is being done?
Is it working?
Conclusion
References
Questions?
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3. Background
Physical Inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for
global mortality.
Approximately 3.2 million deaths each year from insufficient physical
activity.
Annually in Scotland physical inactivity contributes to almost 2,500 deaths
at a cost of £91 million to the NHS.
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4. Benefits of Physical Activity
Being physically active as a child or young person is of great importance
for:
Improved cardiovascular health
Maintaining a healthy weight
Improving bone health
Improving self-confidence
Developing new social skills
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6. Recommended Levels of Physical
Activity
All Children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous
intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours
every day.
Vigorous intensity activities, including those that strengthen muscle and
bone, should be incorporated at least three days a week.
Extended periods of sedentary activity should be limited.
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7. Levels of Physical Activity Scotland
Percentage of boys and girls meeting the physical activity guideline 2012
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8. Sedentary Behaviour
Today’s environment enforces an inactive lifestyle. There is accumulating
evidence that independent of physical activity levels, sedentary behaviours
are associated with health problems and increased sedentary time is
associated with increased health risk.
Research suggests that watching T.V for more than two hours per day
adversely affects both physical and psychosocial health. For example:
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9. Health Risks of Increased Sedentary
Time
Decreased fitness
Anxiety & Depression
Reduced social behaviours
Risk of low self-esteem
Decreased academic achievement
Emotional distress
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10. T.V Use: Children & Young People in
Scotland
30% of Children approximately 4 years old exceeded 2 hours of T.V
viewing per day.
By age 11, 62% of boys and 57% of girls exceeded 2 hours of T.V viewing
on weekdays.
By age 15, 69% of boys and 68% of girls exceeded 2 hours of T.V viewing
on weekdays.
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11. Computer Use: Children & Young
People in Scotland
50% of boys and 19% of girls reporting more than 2 hours of computer game
or console use per day.
53% of boys and 29% of girls aged 11 years reporting more than 2 hours of
computer game play on weekdays.
An increase to 64% in boys by age 15 years. However usage amongst girls of
the same age fell to 26%.
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12. What Is Being Done?
In 2003 Scotland was one of the first countries to provide a strategy for
physical activity called ‘Let’s Make Scotland More Active’. This is a twenty
year plan which by 2022 aims to have 80% of children and young people
meeting guidelines for physical activity.
In recent years the Scottish government has made physical activity a
national indicator. Annual investment of £3 million is aimed at increasing
levels of physical activity.
National programmes such as ‘Active Schools’ is a scheme that provides
over 5 million opportunities for young people to be physically active.
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13. Is It Working? 13
These graphs show the positive impact of school based interventions for both boys and girls.
It also highlights there has been no significant improvement over a 15 year period in activity
levels out with school.
14. Conclusion
Despite investment aiming to improve physical activity levels in children
and young people, progress is disappointing.
Due to the long-term health benefits of individuals and Scotland’s
population, improving physical activity levels must remain a public health
priority.
Hope we are all now heading to the gym.
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