PART 3: CHILDREN'S OUTCOMES - SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIOURAL
Physical Activity
Regular participation in physical activities contributes to improved quality of life, both physical and psychological. 48 It is important among adolescents for social networking and support 49 and an important predictor of future levels of physical activity. 51
Measure
The percentage of children aged 9-17 who report being physically active
for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week.
|
Key findings
- In 2006, 90.4% of children aged 9-17 reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week (see Table 80).
Table 80: Percentage of children who report to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per
day on more than 2 days per week, by gender, age and social class (2002 and 2006)
| 2002 | 2006 | |||||
| Boys | Girls | Total | Boys | Girls | Total | |
| Total | 91.1 | 84.7 | 87.4 | 93.6 | 87.0 | 90.4 |
| Age | ||||||
| 9 years | - | - | - | 96.9 | 96.9 | 96.9 |
| 10-11 years | 92.0 | 87.8 | 89.7 | 97.9 | 96.7 | 97.1 |
| 12-14 years | 91.8 | 87.6 | 89.4 | 96.2 | 92.6 | 94.4 |
| 15-17 years | 89.8 | 80.2 | 84.1 | 90.1 | 76.1 | 83.6 |
| Social class | ||||||
| SC 1-2 | 93.7 | 87.1 | 89.7 | 94.5 | 86.0 | 90.4 |
| SC 3-4 | 91.9 | 84.6 | 87.7 | 94.3 | 87.3 | 90.9 |
| SC 5-6 | 89.9 | 83.4 | 86.3 | 93.8 | 87.5 | 90.5 |
Source: HBSC Survey
Differences by gender, age and social class
- The percentage of children who reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week was higher among boys and younger children (see Table 80):
- 93.6% of boys, compared to 87% of girls;
- 96.9% of 9-year-olds and 97.1% of 10-11 year-olds, compared to 83.6% of 15-17 year-olds.
- Among girls aged 15-17, there is a decrease in the percentage reporting being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week, from 80.2% in 2002 to 76.1% in 2006.
Differences by geographic area
- Children in the South-East region are more likely (92.4%) to report to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week, while children in the West region are least likely (88.8%) to report this (see Table 81).
Table 81: Percentage of children who report to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day
on more than 2 days per week, by NUTS Region (2006)
| 2006 | |
| Border | 89.0 |
| Midlands | 90.1 |
| West | 88.8 |
| Dublin | 90.0 |
| Mid-East | 90.0 |
| Mid-West | 89.9 |
| South-East | 92.4 |
| South-West | 91.8 |
| Overall | 90.4 |
Source: HBSC Survey
International comparisons
- From the 2006 HBSC Survey, using the ages of 11, 13, and 15 only to draw international comparisons, 92.6% of Irish children reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on 2 or more days per week (see Figure 29). This is higher than the HBSC average of 87.3%.
- Among all 41 countries and regions that used this HBSC item, the lowest percentage for this indicator was found among children from Israel (71.2%) and the highest among children from Scotland (93%). Overall, Irish children ranked 3rd.
- Among the 34 countries and regions that used this HBSC item in 2002, Irish children ranked 9th (89.7%).
Figure 29: Percentage of children who report being physically active for at least
60 minutes per day on more than 2 days per week, by country (2006)
Source: HBSC Survey
Measure
The percentage of children aged 9-17 who report being physically active
for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week.
|
Key findings
- In 2006, 54.8% of children aged 9-17 report being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week (see Table 82).
Table 82: Percentage of children who report to be physically active for at least
60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week, by gender, age and social class (2002 and 2006)
| 2002 | 2006 | |||||
| Boys | Girls | Total | Boys | Girls | Total | |
| Total | 57.5 | 39.9 | 47.4 | 63.4 | 45.9 | 54.8 |
| Age | ||||||
| 9 years | - | - | - | 80.6 | 78.4 | 79.5 |
| 10-11 years | 65.9 | 54.7 | 59.8 | 80.8 | 71.0 | 75.1 |
| 12-14 years | 60.4 | 43.7 | 51.1 | 69.6 | 52.6 | 61.5 |
| 15-17 years | 49.7 | 29.6 | 37.7 | 51.6 | 26.8 | 39.9 |
| Social class | ||||||
| SC 1-2 | 58.0 | 42.3 | 48.6 | 63.7 | 46.1 | 55.2 |
| SC 3-4 | 59.5 | 39.3 | 48.0 | 64.1 | 44.1 | 54.3 |
| SC 5-6 | 55.2 | 38.4 | 46.1 | 63.7 | 47.6 | 55.3 |
Source: HBSC Survey
Differences by gender, age and social class
- The percentage of children who reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week is higher among boys and younger children (see Table 82):
- 63.4% of boys, compared to 45.9% of girls.
- 79.5% of 9 year-olds and 75.1% of 10-12 year-olds, compared to 39.9% of 15 to 17 year-olds
Differences by geographic area
- Children in the Mid-East region are more likely (58.4%) to report to be physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week, while children in the Border region are least likely (50.4%) to report this (see Table 83).
Table 83: Percentage of children who report to be physically active for at least
60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week, by NUTS Region (2006)
| 2006 | |
| Border | 50.4 |
| Midlands | 53.5 |
| West | 50.7 |
| Dublin | 56.1 |
| Mid-East | 58.4 |
| Mid-West | 52.6 |
| South-East | 58.0 |
| South-West | 53.9 |
| Overall | 54.8 |
Source: HBSC Survey
International comparisons
- From the 2006 HBSC Survey, using the ages of 11, 13 and 15 only to draw international comparisons, 59.2% of Irish children reported being physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week (see Figure 30). This is higher than the HBSC average of 42.6%.
- Among all 41 countries and regions that used this HBSC item, the lowest percentage for this indicator was found among children from Russia (28.6%) and the highest among children from Ireland (59.2%). Overall, Irish children ranked 1st.
- Among the 34 countries and regions that used this HBSC item in 2002, Irish children ranked 2nd (50.7%).
Figure 30: Percentage of children who report being physically active for at least
60 minutes per day on more than 4 days per week, by country (2006)
Source: HBSC Survey
Technical notes
All data presented are drawn from self-report, self-completion questionnaires completed by children in schools. Thus, they are subject to potential biases in relation to self-presentation and memory. These measures may suffer from social desirability bias.
Percentage differences are presented for descriptive purposes only and may not reflect a statistically significant finding.
Social class (SC) is classified into one of the following groups (introduced in 1996 by the CSO), defined on the basis of occupation:
SC I: Professional
SC 2: Managerial
SC 3: Non-manual
SC 4: Skilled manual
SC 5: Semi-skilled
SC 6: Unskilled
NUTS is an acronym for the EU Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics. This classification was legally established by EU Regulation No. 1059/2003 on 29 May 2003. In Ireland, NUTS is classified hierarchically as Level 1 – Ireland; Level 2 – Regions; and Level 3 – Regional Authorities. The 8 Regional Authorities in Ireland (NUTS 3 regions) were established under the Local Government Act, 1991 (see Appendix 2).
48 De Róiste, A. and Dinneen, J. (2005) Young People's Views about Opportunities, Barriers and Supports to Recreation and Leisure, National Children's Office. Dublin: The Stationery Office. Available at: www.childrensdatabase.ie OR www.omc.gov.ie
49 Hickman, M., Roberts, C. and Matos, M. (2000) 'Exercise and Leisure Time Activities'. In: C. Currie, K. Hurrelmann, W. Settertolute, R. Smith and J. Todd (eds.), Health and Health Behaviour among Young People. Copenhagen: WHO-Europe.
50 Biddle, S., Sallis, J. and Cavill, N. (1998) 'Policy framework for young people and health-enhancing physical activity'. In: S. Biddle, J. Sallis and N. Cavill (eds.), Young and Active? Young people and health-enhancing physical activity: Evidence and Implications. London: Health Education Authority.