Second Highland Lifestyle Survey of young people

The Highland Council in partnership with NHS Highland have conducted a survey for the second time that provides a snapshot of young people’s lifestyles in the Highlands.

The survey carried out in March 2011, included responses from over 5,000 pupils in their last year of primary school and second and fourth years of secondary school. The latest report presents findings that follow up to an earlier survey carried out in 2009.

Overall the 2011 information supports the view that the great majority of children in the Highlands are happy, healthy and have good family and peer relationships.

Importantly, improvements were noted in areas such as: increased consumption of fruit and vegetables; uptake of school meals; good oral health habits and a higher proportion of Highland children saying they did not drink or smoke in the week the survey was carried out.

Councillor Bill Fernie, Chairman of The Highland Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee welcomed the report showing initial comparisons between the 2009/2011 data stating: “We are delighted that we have been able to involve a much larger groups of pupils in the 2011 survey and that the results are consistent with 2009. Where increases in positive aspects of lifestyle have been demonstrated we can celebrate these as successes attributed to the pupils and everyone involved in promoting health and wellbeing in school communities.”

Dr Margaret Somerville, Director of Public Health for NHS Highland, said: “It is heartening to see from this survey that the majority of children in the Highlands are healthy. The survey also shows an increase in healthy eating and an increase in those not smoking or drinking.

“NHS Highland is committed to working with our partners in encouraging and supporting the Highland population in being healthy at any weight. We have widened the support available to families and continue to do what we can in supporting people making healthy choices.”

A final report will be compiled and presented to a future meeting of the Council’s Education, Culture and Sport Committee. Members agreed that a presentation and executive summary of the survey will be produced of the key survey findings. The intial data will also be presented to the Highland Joint Committee for Children and Young People and the Youth Parliament for Highland, Highland Youth Voice.