Health, sport and physical activity in australia

Health, sport and physical activity for youthsA Guide for Parents and CaregiversMeredith Jones11497575

Today we will be looking at:The major health issues impacting Australian youth

How physical activity and sport have the potential to help Australian youth achieve better health outcomes

The role that schools can play to reach these better health outcomes

National health priority areasCancer Control: is a public health approach aimed at reducing the burden of cancer in a population. Planning integrated, evidence-based and cost-effective interventions throughout the cancer continuum is the most effective way of tackling the cancer problem and reduce the suffering caused to patients and their familiesCardiovascular health: concerned with all diseases of the heart and blood vessels such as stroke and coronary heart disease including heart attacks and angina.Injury prevention and control: Injury is a major cause of preventable death and disability in Australia. Whether intended or accidental, most physical injuries can be prevented by identifying their causes and removing these, or reducing people's exposure to them.Mental health: a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community (World Health Organisation)

National health priority areasDiabetes mellitus: is the bodys ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates and elevated levels of glucose in the blood. Asthma: a respiratory condition marked by attacks of spasm in the bronchi of the lung, resulting in difficulty with breathing. Often it is a sign of an allergic reaction or other forms of hypersensitivity. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions: Conditions where initial pain occurs in the joints during and after activity. This can progress to where pain can be experienced from minimal movement or during rest. Rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disease and is the most common type of arthritis in children under the age of 17, and finally,Obesity: condition associate with having an excess of body fat, which can be defined by genetic and environmental factors that are difficult to control when dieting. It is classified as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or greater.

ObesityCauses include: Unhealthy diets, genetics, lack of physical exercise and sport, and family eating habitsPotential Health Problems: - type 2 diabetes - eating disorders such as bulimia or binge eating - orthopaedic disorders problems with foot structure - liver problems, including fatty liver - respiratory disorders, such as blocked airways and restrictions in the chest wall, which cause breathlessness during exercise - sleep apnoea - cardiomyopathy a problem with the heart muscle, caused when extra effort is needed to pump blood. Statistics: Between 1995 and 2008, the number of overweight 7- 15 year old males doubled from 5% - 10% while the girls rate remained fairly consistent at 6%. At the current rate of progression, it is predicted that by the year 2020, 65% of young Australians will be overweight or obese.

Mental healthMental Health Statistics:1 in 16 young Australians are currently experiencing depression (equivalent 180 000 young people) 1 in 6 young Australians are currently experiencing an anxiety condition (equivalent to 440 000 young people)1 in 4 young Australians currently has a mental health condition (Thats equivalent to 750 000 young people!)

ArthritisJuvenile idiopathic arthritis is the general term used to describe inflammatory arthritis in children. Estimated that 4 600 Australian children under the age of 16 had Juvenile arthritis between 2004-2005. Based off these statistics, almost 22 000 adults that have been diagnosed with arthritis, developed in childhoodIt is estimated to be the main disabling condition for about 1 600 children, with 83% experiencing severe activity limitation. Arthritis in children, particularly younger children, can be extremely difficult on parents and families, with both physical and emotional impacts due to the pain and physical limitations of the disease. Studies have shown that over two-thirds of parents of children with arthritis reported to have personal health problems, family conflicts and lack of social supportAlmost all children with arthritis report chronic pain with 69% of patients restricted in physical activity or physical workStatistics have also shown that children with arthritis are 33% more likely to have days away from school as well as having significant problems at school and participating in sports, with 86% of experiencing difficulty fitting in and 57% unable to sit properly (AIHW, 2008).

Physical activity achieving better health outcomes

Results from Exercise and fitness in children with arthritis: Evidence of benefits for Exercise and Physical ActivityType of ProgramAerobic Capacity of PerformanceROM/ flexibilityMuscle StrengthMuscle EnduranceMuscle ContractionDisease Signs and SymptomsStationary Bicycle in peak oxygen consumption---- in count of joints with active arthritisGroup land-based resistance exercise in peak oxygen consumption Heart Rate- Quadriceps and hamstrings strength Quadriceps and hamstrings endurance Quadriceps contraction speedPain Medications Modulates plasma levels of pro-inflammatory mediatorsCircuit aerobic exerciseNo change in peak oxygen consumption-Anaerobic power/legs--Pain QOL

Role of Physical Exercise in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus This study examines the central role of physical exercise in the management of children and adolescents with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Participants in the study suffering from diabetes gained significant physical and psychological advantages. While there were occasional vascular complications, it was concluded that these could be treated through education on the metabolic changes that occur during physical activity, to individually modulate diet and insulin before and after exercise.

Why schools play an important role

The Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority, has a new approach to Health and Physical Education in which it aims to present a contemporary, cohesive and physically active view that allows students to gain knowledge and understanding to assist them in the future by adopting lifelong healthy, active living.The results of the 2006 study, Increasing Childrens physical activity levels during recess periods in elementary school: the effects of providing game equipment demonstrated that during a break period, childrens moderate and vigorous physical activity was increased when given equipment to play with.The Effects of a 2-Year Physical Education Program (SPARK) on Physical Activity and Fitness in Elementary School Students - showed that students spent more time engaged and physically active when facilitated by Physical Education Specialists (40min) and trained classroom teachers (33min).

Thank you

referencesAustralian Bureau of Statistics. (2010, June 4). Children Who Are Overweight or Obese. Retrieved from Ausrtalian Bureau of Statistics website: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/1301.0Chapter11062009%E2%80%9310Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority. (2012, August). The Shape of the Australian Curriculum: Health and Physical Education. Retrieved from Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority website: https://acaraweb.blob.core.windows.net/resources/Shape_of_the_Australian_Curriculum_Health_and_Physical_Education.pdfAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2008, October). Juvenile arthritis in Australia. Arthritis Series, 7, Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459864Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2016). National health priority areas. Retrieved January 25, 2017, from Australian Government website: http://www.aihw.gov.au/national-health-priority-areas/

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare,. (2011). Young Australians: Their Health and Wellbeing. Canberra, ACT: AIHWDonnelly, J. E., Jacobsen, D. J., Whatley, J. E., Hill, J. O., Swift, L. L., Cherrington, A., ... Reed, G. (1996, May). Nutrition and Physical Activity Program to Attenuate Obesity and Promote Physical and Metabolic Fitness in Elementary School Children. Obesity Research, 4(3), 229-243. Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-1143580-dt-content-rid-2494139_1/courses/S-EMR105_201690_B_D/Nutrition%20_%20PA%20program%20_elementary%20school%20children_.pdfGiannini, C., de Giorgi, T., Mohn, A., & Chiare, F. (2007, February 20). Role of Physical Exercise in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus. Journal of Paediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, 2, 173-184. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Francesco_Chiarelli/publication/51379710_Role_of_Physical_Exercise_in_Children_and_Adolescents_with_Diabetes_Mellitus/links/02e7e5358e0f668c5a000000iCan.Earlychildhood (Creator), & iCan.Earlychildhood (Poster). (2016). 5 Reasons Why Physical Activity is Important for Children [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFqNDjYXz4Xr1ve_Ctp2fzw

Kids Matter. (n.d.). How mental health dif culties affect children. Retrieved from Department of Health and Aging website: https://www.kidsmatter.edu.au/sites/default/files/public/KMP_C4_CMHD_HowMentalHealthDifficultiesAffectChildren.pdfKlepper, S. E. (2003, June 3). Exercise and fitness in children with arthritis: evidence of benefits for exercise and physical activity. Arthritis Care & Research, 49(3), 435-443. Mental Health Services in Australia. (2016). Mental Health Services in Australia. Retrieved from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website: https://mhsa.aihw.gov.au/home/Mental Health Services in Australia. (2016). Mental health support services. Retrieved from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare website: https://mhsa.aihw.gov.au/support/

Sallis, J. F., McKenzie, T. L., Alcaraz, J. E., Kolody, B., Faucette, , N., & Hovell, M. F. (1997, August). The Effects of a 2-Year Physical Education Program (SPARK) on Physical Activity and Fitness in Elementary School Student. American Journal of Public Health, 87(8), 1328-1334. Retrieved from http://www.sparkpe.org/resultsSallis3.pdfSport New Zealand. (2017). Teamwork [Diagram]. Retrieved from http://www.sportnz.org.nz/get-into-sport/for-parentsTaras, H. (2005, August). Physical Activity and Student Performance at School . Journal of School Health, 75(6), 214-218. Retrieved from http://nycphysicaleducation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Physical-Activity-and-Student-Performance-at-School.pdfVerstraete, S. J., Cardon, G. M., De Clercq, D. L., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. M. (2006, January 23). Increasing childrens physical activity levels during recess periods in elementary schools: the effects of providing game equipment. European Journal of Public Health, 16(4), 415-419. Retrieved from https://interact2.csu.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-1143579-dt-content-rid-2494161_1/courses/S-EMR105_201690_B_D/Increasing%20childrens%20PA%20levels%20in%20recess.pdfWorld Health Organization. (2017). Health Topics. Retrieved from World Health Organization website: http://www.who.int/topics/en/