By Eliza Henry-Jones
The wellbeing of Australian children varies by family circumstances and where they live.
According to a recent report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), Australian children are generally happy, healthy and safe. The report, Australia’s Children, also found that children’s wellbeing varied depending on family circumstances and where they live.
The report focuses on the experiences of children primarily aged from 0–12, spanning infancy, early childhood and primary school years. The report examines children’s experiences at home, school and in their communities, along with statistics on parental health, family support networks and household finances. “From an early age, most Australian children have the foundations to support good health and wellbeing as they grow up,” said AIHW spokesperson, Louise York.
A lot of trends identified by the report are positive. A majority of parents tell their children stories with almost 4 in 5 children aged 0–2 read to or told stories by a parent regularly in 2017. 90% of eligible children enrolled in a preschool program in the year before they entered full-time school. In 2017, just under 1 in 10 mothers smoked during their pregnancy, compared to 1 in 8 mothers in 2011. In 2016 35% of women drank alcohol during pregnancy, down from 42% in 2013. In 2018, about 9 in 10 children aged 2 were fully immunised. The report noted that deaths among infants and children are uncommon, having fallen markedly over the past 2 decades. Injury and cancer are the leading causes of death for children aged 1-14 years—however, the death rates for both have reduced.
Children are also exhibiting healthy habits. In 2017–18, almost three-quarters (72%) of children aged 5–14 eat enough fruit every day. Despite this, hardly any children (4%) eat enough vegetables and almost half (42%) usually consumed sugary drinks at least every week. Similarly, roughly 65% of children aged 5–8, 78% of children aged 9–11 and 72% of children aged 12–14 participated in organised physical activities outside of school hours at least once per week in 2018.
Other data sources included in the report suggest that in 2011–12, less than one-quarter (23%) of children aged 5–14 were active for the recommended 60 minutes of activity every day and less than one-third (32%) met the screen-based activity guidelines (to limit screen-based activity to no more than 60 minutes per day). “In 2017–18, about a quarter of children aged 5–14 were overweight or obese, similar to 2007–08. The likelihood of a child being overweight or obese is greater if they live outside major cities, in one-parent families, or if they have a disability,” Ms York said.
In 2018, almost all Year 3, 5 and 7 students achieved at or above the minimum standards for reading and numeracy. However, results were lower among some groups. For instance, Indigenous students and students in remote areas of Australia were less likely to meet the minimum standards.
Bullying is an issue for many. In 2015, almost 3 in 5 Year 4 students reported that they experienced bullying monthly or weekly during the school year.
‘In 2016–17, receiving unwanted contact and content was the most commonly reported negative online experience for children aged 8–12, experienced by about a quarter of all children,’ Ms York said.
Most children say they look to their parents for support during challenging times. In 2016, 90% of children aged 12–13 said that they would talk to their mum and/or dad if they had a problem.
‘It is also important to gather more evidence about children’s own perspectives on issues affecting their lives and development, to ensure children’s views are heard,’ said Ms York.
Further information can be found here.
