1. Australia is
the lucky
country!
High standard
of living
Long life
expectancy
A sports
loving nation
Fresh food and
clean water
Excellent
health and
education
systems
So why do our youth have
major health issues?

2.  In 2008 35% of young people (aged 12-24) & 25%
of children (aged 5-11) were estimated to be
overweight or obese.
Obesity
Some of the effects of obesity on children
and young people are:
• Stress on bones and joints
• Snoring ,sleep apnoea and asthma
• High blood pressure and blood fats
• Type 2 diabetes
• Low self-esteem, stigmatisation and
behaviour problems
• Obese children usually become obese
adults
What causes obesity?
• Unhealthy food choices
• Sedentary lifestyle-lack of physical
activity
• Family genetic history
• Not enough sleep
• Unhealthy family habits
 Young people living in low socio-economic (SES)
areas are 44% likely to be overweight or obese,
compared to 25% of young people live in high
SES areas.
 Indigenous young people are more likely to be
overweight and obese than non-indigenous
people.
It is predicted that by 2020, 65%
of young Australians will be
overweight or obese!
 The prevalence of obesity in children has risen
throughout the world over the last 30 years.

3. Mental Ill Health
Causes of mental ill health
 Family history
 Negative early life experiences
 Psychological factors
 Serious illness/injury
 Current circumstances
 Drug use
 In 2009 over 1 million young Australians
had a mental illness.
 Anxiety, depression and substance use
disorders are the most common mental
illnesses.
 1 in 4 young people (16-24 years) are living with
a diagnosed mental disorder in any year
Effects of Mental Ill Health
 Relationships and social interactions
suffer
 Education and work is disrupted
 Changes in appetite and sleep
 Increased participation in risky
behaviour
 Increased chance of illness and self
harm

4. Substance Use
 30% of young people drink at high
levels for a short time
 11% of young people are daily smokers
 1 in 5 people (12-24 years) used an
illicit drug in the last 12 months
Causes
 Behavioural and emotional
problems
 Early exposure to drugs
 Peer pressure
 Poor parental control and
supervision
 Low self-esteem
 Legal and financial problems
 Leaving school early
Effects
 Dependency, withdrawal, psychotic
disorders , amnesia
 Respiratory disorders and cancer
 Alcohol addiction
 Liver, heart and brain damage
 Poisoning
 Mental illness and suicide
 Family and relationship problems

5. How do we help our children achieve better health and
wellbeing outcomes?
Regular
physical
activity helps
our children
to be healthy
and happy!

6. How does physical activity help improve health and wellbeing?
Physical Benefits
 Helps build and maintain healthy
bones and muscles
 Helps maintain a healthy weight
 Reduces risk of chronic diseases
 Improves cardiovascular capacity
Social Benefits
 Promotes wellbeing
 Reduces depression, anxiety
and stress
 Increased social network and
acceptance
 Increased self confidence
Academic Benefits
 Increased concentration levels
 Increased attentiveness to the learning task
 Increased problem solving skills

7. How can schools help?
 Schools need to implement curriculum to enhance the health and wellbeing of
students
 Schools need to offer a variety of physical activities for students
 Schools need to be supportive of students physical and mental wellbeing

8. Putting the pieces together for a whole school approach for Health Education
Family &
community
involvement
Physical
Education Health
Education
Counselling &
Social
Services
Healthy
School
Environment
Professional
training for
staff
An integrated whole
school approach