Data_Sheet_2_Changes in self-reported health and wellbeing outcomes in 36,951 primary school children from 2014 to 2022 in Wales: an analysis using annual survey data.DOCX

IntroductionThis study examines the changes in childhood self-reported health and wellbeing between 2014 and 2022.
MethodsAn annual survey delivered by HAPPEN-Wales, in collaboration with 500 primary schools, captured self-reported data on physical health, dietary habits, mental health, and overall wellbeing for children aged 8–11 years.
ResultsThe findings reveal a decline in physical health between 2014 and 2022, as evidenced by reduced abilities in swimming and cycling. For example, 68% of children (95%CI: 67%–69%) reported being able to swim 25m in 2022, compared to 85% (95% CI: 83%–87%) in 2018. Additionally, unhealthy eating habits, such as decreased fruit and vegetable consumption and increased consumption of sugary snacks, have become more prevalent. Mental health issues, including emotional and behavioural difficulties, have also increased, with emotional difficulties affecting 13%–15% of children in 2017–2018 and now impacting 29% of children in 2021–2022. Moreover, indicators of wellbeing, autonomy, and competence have declined.
DiscussionImportantly, this trend of declining health and wellbeing predates the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that it is not solely attributed to the pandemic’s effects. The health of primary school children has been on a declining trajectory since 2018/2019 and has continued to decline through the COVID recovery period. The study suggests that these trends are unlikely to improve without targeted intervention and policy focus.

引言 本研究考察了2014年至2022年间儿童自我报告的健康与福祉变化情况。

研究方法 由威尔士HAPPEN项目（HAPPEN-Wales）联合500所小学开展的年度调查，收集了8至11岁儿童关于身体健康、饮食习惯、心理健康及整体福祉的自我报告数据。

研究结果 结果显示，2014年至2022年间儿童身体健康水平呈下降趋势，游泳与骑行能力的减退可作为佐证。例如，2022年仅有68%的儿童（95%置信区间：67%~69%）能够完成25米游泳，而2018年该比例为85%（95%置信区间：83%~87%）。此外，不健康饮食习惯愈发普遍，具体表现为果蔬摄入量减少、含糖零食摄入量增加。心理健康问题同样呈上升趋势，包括情绪与行为问题：2017-2018年，情绪问题影响了13%~15%的儿童，而2021-2022年该比例已升至29%。此外，福祉、自主性与能力相关指标均有所下滑。

讨论 值得注意的是，健康与福祉水平下滑的趋势早在新冠疫情（COVID-19）暴发前就已出现，这表明该现象并非仅由疫情影响所致。自2018/2019年起，小学生的健康水平便呈持续下滑态势，并在新冠疫情复苏阶段进一步恶化。本研究表明，若不采取针对性干预措施并制定相关政策支持，上述趋势难以得到扭转。