Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Australian children get D grades in first ever physical activity report card

Australian children get D grades in first ever physical activity report card
May 21, 2014

Australian school children rank among the worst in the world for overall physical activity levels, narrowly avoiding a 'fail' in a new national report card released today.

Supported by the National Heart Foundation of Australia, the inaugural Active Healthy Kids Australia Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth has found 80% of 5-17 year olds are not meeting the Australian physical activity guidelines of at least 60 minutes of exercise each day.

Using an international ranking tool developed in Canada, Australia’s Report Card will today be measured against 14 other countries around the world.

Report author Natasha Schranz, PhD from the University of South Australia said too many

Australian parents believe playing sport is enough to keep their kids healthy.

Dr Schranz stated “Australia is a sporting nation, and vast numbers of children are involved in some type of organised sport but this report clearly shows we need to be looking at further ways to keep kids active when they are not on the sports field.

“Things like walking to school, playing outside and turning off televisions and computers also contribute to overall health and physical activity levels – and these things are being forgotten.”

Among the 12 grades assigned in the Report Card, key grades include:

• D- for Overall Physical Activity Levels

• B- for Organised Sport and Physical Activity Participation

• D for Active Transportation (such as riding or walking to school)

• D- for Sedentary Behaviours (screen time)

The Heart Foundation’s National Lead on Active Living, Associate Professor Trevor Shilton said the evidence can’t be ignored.

Professor Shilton added“we’re raising a generation of couch potatoes and if we don’t start to reverse this trend this will drive up health problems in the future – obesity, high blood pressure and heart disease.

“We know what works. We need high quality, mandatory physical activity in our schools. We need to encourage and support our kids to stay active in everyday life – to be social and play outside, to walk and cycle in their neighbourhoods, do some household chores and limit hours of screen time.

“It requires a coordinated response – governments, communities, schools, families and individuals can all play a role, we just need to start the conversation.”

The Active Healthy Kids Australia Physical Activity Report Card for Children and Young People was developed by researchers at several leading Australian universities and research institutes using data from a number of national and state-based surveys.

Full copies of the Report Card can be downloaded at www.activehealthykidsaustralia.com.au

29th December 2013 - LACK OF CHILDREN’S EXERCISE POLICY IS ‘CHILD NEGLECT’

22nd November 2013 - CHILDREN LESS FIT THAN THEIR PARENTS

15th May 2013 - MASSEY UNIVERSITY RESEARCHERS TO STUDY EXERCISE IN CHILDREN

1st November 2012 - SWIMMING AND FOOTBALL THE MOST POPULAR SPORTS FOR CHILDREN

16th July 2012 - MORE CHILDREN PARTICIPATING IN ORGANISED SPORT AND DANCING

3rd November 2009 - SWIMMING MOST POPULAR SPORT FOR AUSTRALIAN CHILDREN: FOOTBALL TOPS FOR BOYS

25th September 2009 - CHILDHOOD OBESITY RATE CONTINUES TO RISE


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

@leisure Planners

@leisure is a team of experienced leisure, aquatic and sports facility managers and planners, with market modelling, sports management, recreation planning, business and GIS qualifications. We have…

read more

Consultants

 
 

AUSTRALIAN WATERSLIDES AND LEISURE

A leading designer and manufacturer of innovative waterslides and attractions, Australian Waterslides and Leisure (AWL) is also able to advise clients in the areas of concept and design, feasibility…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Mattioli

Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…

read more

Aquatics / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 

Elite Pool Covers

Since 1989 Elite Pool Covers have designed and manufactured an extensive range of high quality affordable manual,semi-automatic and fully-automatic pool cover systems for the harsh Australian…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Technology / Venues

 
 

HIB Insurance Brokers Pty Ltd

HIB Insurance Brokers - Experts in Leisure and Amusement Insurance With over 20 years specialising in the Amusement and Leisure industries, we have the experience to understand your operations and…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Insurance / Recreation / Safety

 
 

IEDM

iEDM integrate Design, Engineering and Delivery Management services to convert existing spaces into exciting new entertainment venues. Our team consists of highly qualified professionals with diverse…

read more

Consultants / Design

 
 

HRMWEB

At easyemployer we've come up with a software solution that manages one of your most important, and often most costly, business resources - your staff. We are helping 100s of clients to…

read more

Finance / Fitness / Technology

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business