Welsh teenagers are struggling to find a healthy school balance – report
The results of a survey comprised of almost 130,000 pupils found that whilst children are exercising more, bullying cases have increased.
Throughout 2019 and 2021 it was revealed students in Wales weren’t doing enough exercise. However, results from this year’s national survey – which was first reported on by the BBC – revealed rates had increased by 21% as 23% of boys are committing to at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day – the national guideline.
What’s more, experts revealed 14% of girls are doing the same amount – an increase of 12% in 2021.
However, out of school is where problems lie. The survey found 45% of children from well-off families exercised vigorously outside of school four times a week, compared to 32% of children from poorer backgrounds.
Moreover, the study, which included 200 secondary schools across Wales, found almost 37% of students said they had been bullied – up from 32% in 2021.
Commenting on the findings, Lorna Bennett, consultant in health improvement for Public Health Wales (PHW), said: ‘The number of young people meeting the guidelines for physical activity remains low and it is important that we continue working to ensure that physical activity becomes part of the lives of more young people in Wales.’
Following the publication of the study, PHW has committed to working with schools to roll out a programme designed to help schools support student’s mental health, as well as tackling bullying.
Arguably, this move couldn’t have come at a better time. A separate 2023 study from Cardiff University outlined that 28% of girls and 16% of boys admitted to experiencing high levels of mental health symptoms as a result of school. What’s more, 53% of young people reported feeling some pressures from their school work, with 27% feeling a lot of pressure.
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