Australian and New Zealand teenagers among the least active in the world

A damning new report from the World Health Organization shows that Australian youth are among the most inactive in the world, with New Zealand faring only slightly better.

The world first global report published today in the Lancet Child Adolescent Health journal has provided damning statistics that physical activity among Australia adolescents sees them ranked 140 out of 146 countries. New Zealand came in at 138 in the ranking.

Researchers from the University of Western Australia (UWA) and the Imperial College in London analysed data on the physical activity of 11 to 17 year olds from 298 school surveys on physical activity levels from 146 countries, representing 1.6 million students. Australia was one of the worst performers, ranking in at 140.

The World Health Organization, which funded the survey, recommends adolescents do moderate or vigorous physical activity for an hour or more each day.

However, 89% of young Australians and New Zealanders did not meet this recommendation. Out of 25 high-income western countries, Australia had the highest number of teenagers - nine out of 10 - not meeting physical activity guidelines, with 91% of girls not meeting these activity targets, compared to 87% of boys.

Associate Professor Rebecca Braham, a researcher in human sciences with UWA’s Department of Sport Science, Exercise and Health, said the research shows that trends of insufficient physical activity among 11-17 year-olds had remained high and relatively stable over a 15-year period.

She advised “this is concerning because we know that the best predictors of levels of physical activity in adulthood is your activity in adolescent years.

“On a positive note, when a group identifies as insufficiently active, it means that they are participating in activity but just not enough to meet recommendations so the opportunity for intervention and improvement is there but we just need to find the right strategies and pathways to engage this group.”

Dr Jodie Cochrane Wilkie, a Senior Lecturer from the School of Medical and Health Sciences at Edith Cowan University, said research reported over many years in Australia had shown similar findings so the results were not surprising.

Dr Wilkie noted “what is disappointing is that, although in most countries the percentage of insufficient physical activity in boys has decreased, in Australia it actually increased from 2001 to 2016 from 83.5% to 86.8%.

“We also know that compared to 30 years ago our children do not have the same level of fundamental movement skill competency, fitness and strength. If children are unable to perform skills well, such as catching, throwing, kicking, jumping and running, or do not have the required strength, then they are more likely to have low self-esteem and not want to participate in sport.

“This then leads to inactivity in adolescents and this inactivity continues through to adulthood.”

Slovakia had the most active youth - 71.5% did not meet activity recommendations - while South Korean youth were most inactive, with 94.2% of youth failing to meet recommendations.

The Lancet report concluded “young people have the right to play and should be provided with the opportunities to realise their right to physical and mental health and wellbeing.

“That four in every five adolescents do not experience the enjoyment and social, physical and mental health benefits of regular physical activity is not by chance, but a consequence of political choices and societal design.”

In response to the report, Exercise and Sports Science Australia (ESSA) says that physical activity levels among youth must start to change now, highlighting that activity plays a key role in any child’s physical, social and mental well-being.

ESSA Chief Executive, Anita Hobson-Powell stated “these results should be a major wake up call for governments at all levels. Our children are the ones who will have to live with the lasting effects of physical inactivity, and it’s about time we took meaningful action.

 “This is a statistic that we should be highly concerned about and should push our leaders to develop a National Physical Activity Plan that addresses this key issue. The Federal Government is currently developing a 10-year National Preventative Health Strategy and an Obesity Strategy, and we believe that physical activity needs to be more prominent in these plans.

“The development and resourcing of a National Physical Activity Plan, alongside funding for its implementation, should be a next priority. We need our leadership to understand that changing physical activity levels must be addressed in all key areas of society including infrastructure, education, transport and social services.”

“As a nation, we need to be provided with access to appropriate and accessible services and programs. Currently the Federal Government is investing below 2% on prevention programs – this needs to be pushed to a minimum of 5%.

“By addressing this issue with our youth head on, we are setting up our children for a healthier future. The sooner we can instil good physical activity behaviours the sooner we will reap the benefits across our society.”