WA kids are overweight

According to a new study from The Department of Health, although parents think their children are healthy in fact one in five WA children are overweight or even obese.

Principal Epidemiologist Peter Somerford says: "In the 2009 report, parents have presented a positive view of their children's health, with almost nine out of ten children reported as having excellent or very good health.

"However, the report shows that more than one in five (22.6 per cent) of WA children aged five to 15 years are overweight or obese. The rate has not changed significantly since 2004.

"About half (45 per cent) of this age group get their recommended one hour of physical activity each day, but girls are less likely to do this than boys (38 per cent compared with 52 per cent)."

The survey showed one in two (47 per cent) children aged five to 15 years were eating the recommended amounts of vegetables each day, up from 39 per cent in 2004.

Although more than 95 per cent of children aged four to 11 years are eating the recommended daily intake of fruit, this dropped to just less than 24 per cent in the 12 to 15 year age group.

"These results reinforce the need to continue our efforts to promote healthy weight and active lifestyles in WA children," Peter says.

The report is available online at: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/publications