2022 data was compared to 2018 statistics with Guernsey’s children improving from grades C and D in most sections to grade B and C.
The data is compiled by a multi-sectoral working panel assembled by the Health Improvement Commission for Guernsey and Alderney.
The working panel comprises ten people from different backgrounds including Education, Public Health, Health Improvement, Sports and Leisure sectors and Research Policy & Strategy.
This is the second time this group has released the ‘Active Healthy Kids Report Card’. It is designed to expressly report levels of physical activity within the Bailiwick’s children and young people. This one is called ‘Moving in the Right Direction’ because the report authors say that is what the children are doing en masse.
Pictured: The indicator for Overall Physical Activity received a C+ grade, an improvement on the 2018 grade of D. The Active Travel indicator increased from a D to and C-, based on data showing that more children and young people are walking, cycling or scooting to and from school.
The 2022 report shows an increase in activity levels while also highlighting the continued need for supporting local children to be more active, according to the team behind the research.
The local evidence was compared against seven globally accepted indicators of children’s physical activity, which was then graded A to F. Inconclusive is given when there was insufficient data.
The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance compares all of the results from the 57 countries which have committed to producing the Physical Activity Report Cards as part of the combined 2022 Global Matrix. The same grading system was used by all countries involved and the grades were independently verified and audited by experts from the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance.
Alun Williams, the Be Active lead at the Health Improvement Commission and Chairperson of the working group said the findings are very positive.
“It is pleasing to see these improvements in the grades of indicators for physical activity. The increase in active travel is especially welcome as we hope that it reflects a shift in understanding the benefits of active travel, not just for young people but for the whole community.
Pictured: Alun Williams, an advocate for healthy living and active lifestyles in Guernsey.
“The improvement in the Government grade is especially promising as it demonstrates increasing recognition of the importance of physical activity in enabling improved health, social, economic and community outcomes. Government leadership is critical to building physical activity opportunities into a range of policy and strategy.
“These results show that the collective efforts from the community in promoting and enabling children and young people’s physical activity so far are beginning to pay off. In some areas, however, the grades show that a significant number of our children and young people are not moving enough nor often enough to reap the mental, physical and social benefits of regular physical activity. Like elsewhere, our children become less active as they get older”
A limitation of the report has been identified because most of the available data reflects pre-pandemic surveillance.
Locally, covid-19 and its associated lockdowns impacted on children and young people’s opportunities to be active across many settings including in school and sports/active clubs, being active with family and informal activity with friends.
The first post-pandemic Children and Young People’s Survey is expected to be published later this year and the results will provide an indication of the pandemic’s impact on physical activity levels.