The organisation behind the report warns that “unless we act decisively now too many people will face a future marked by preventable ill health.” One in three children in West Wales aged between four and five years are above a healthy weight, research from Activate West Wales has revealed. The research also found that at primary school age across the region, fewer than one in four children and young people are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The data forms part of a new ‘State of the Region’ report, commissioned by Activate West Wales – which covers Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire local authorities – and was delivered by The Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). A wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, health boards, national governing bodies and community organisations with an interest in health, sport, physical activity, wellbeing and recreation across West Wales took part in the survey.* The report also found that by secondary school age, sports participation reduces significantly with just 19% of pupils across West Wales achieving the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Boys are significantly more active than girls – with 22–24% of boys meeting the daily guideline compared to just 13–14% of girls. The data also highlighted high levels of sedentary behaviour with seven or more sedentary hours reported on weekdays, particularly in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, where levels exceed the Wales average of 17. Across all local authorities, girls were…
