Mental health, lack of physical activity and poor dieting concerns for Aussie kids

An alarming number of Aussie children are adopting poor exercise and eating habits that could lead to terminal disease later in life.

Dr Preeya Alexander with kids fighting the concerning health trend. Picture: David Caird

A new report into kids’ health has exposed the alarming number of Australian children adopting poor habits that could lead to terminal diseases later in life.

An increase in mental health problems, lack of physical activity and poor dieting choices were among key areas of concern highlighted in AIA’s “Kids’ health and wellbeing in Australia” report.

While improvements are recommended for all four pillars of health and wellbeing – mental, physical, nutrition and relationship with the environment – the most shocking figures extend from mental health.

Data found over two in five young people experienced elevated levels of stress in 2020, with females twice as likely to feel this way compared to their male counterparts.

AIA Vitality Health Expert Dr Preeya Alexander said “significant pressures” like social media and the Covid-19 pandemic were largely to blame for this unnerving figure.

“I think young people are still grappling with the pandemic and its effects. I’m certainly seeing that they are more stressed in the consulting room,” she said.

Meanwhile a quarter of girls and 12 per cent of boys aged between 14 and 15 reported engaging in poor eating habits including deliberately taking small helpings and skipping meals.

Only 12 per cent of school-aged children met physical activity targets. Picture: David Caird

The report also found only 12 per cent of school-aged children met physical activity and sedentary screen-based behaviour guidelines.

This number was substantially less for those aged between 13 and 17, with only 1.9 per cent meeting the requirements.

It’s these figures that has Dr Alexander concerned about the health trajectory for children with such unhealthy habits.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, exposure to most disease risk factors commences during childhood and develops throughout a person’s life.

Therefore some of the health habits practised by these children could potentially see them developing chronic diseases in adulthood that are responsible for 90 per cent of deaths in Australia.

“We know that the rates of (conditions) like mood disorders, certain cancers, heart disease and type two diabetes are increasing, so we really need to target these in childhood so people are better equipped to combat these conditions,” Dr Alexander said.

Glen Iris mum Lucy Chapman has three sons, Patrick 9, Sam, 12 and Oliver 13. While they enjoy participating in sports, the mother-of-three admits she struggles to balance managing their screen time with the demands of work.

Mrs Chapman said more support is needed for parents and schools to help educate children on how they can maintain a healthy lifestyle not only now, but into their future.

“It would be a game changer if schools had the resources to teach nutrition, exercise, mental health and how good being outside is,” she said. “Schools are really good at mindfulness but I think there is room for them to go a bit deeper than that.”

In a bid to curb poor health habits in children, AIA Australia has established its Healthiest Schools Program to provide teachers and parents with tools to educate those aged five to 16 on a healthy lifestyle

The program also includes a Healthiest Schools Challenge in term one 2023, where schools can win over $100,000 worst of experiences and resources by showcasing their healthy initiatives.