Dimension 1: Health
All
Outcome
Young South Australians are physically, mentally and emotionally healthy
Indicator
Children and young people are thriving
Fruit and vegetables consumption
In 2022, 68.3% (66.1-70.4)% of children and young people (2-17 years) in SA reported meeting the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for fruit consumption and median number of serves of fruit per day.
In 2022, 13.6% (12.0-15.2)% of children and young people (2-17 years) in SA reported meeting the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for vegetables consumption and median number of serves of vegetables per day.
Data Source: SA Population Health Survey and National Health Survey
Tooth Decay
NB: A preprint document (dated 28 August 2023) on the ‘JMIR Research Protocols’ website states that participant recruitment for the upcoming National Child Oral Health Study will start in February 2024. The first results are expected to be submitted for publication six months after data collection is complete.
In 2012-14, the proportion of children and young people with tooth decay in their:
• deciduous teeth was 10.2% (13.8% in 2014). Nationally, the proportion of children and young people (5-10 years) with tooth decay in their deciduous teeth was 41.7% in 2014.
• permanent teeth was 15.3%. Nationally, the proportion of children and young people (6-14 years) with tooth decay in their permanent teeth was 23.5% in 2014.
Data Source: National Child Oral Health Study
Mental health - services, conditions and treatments
In 2022, 15.7% (14.1-17.3)% of children and young people (5-17 years) reported using a mental health service in the past 12 months.
In 2022, 18.8% (16.7-21.1)% of children and young people (5-15 years) and 31.7% of young people (16-17 years) reported having a mental health condition. The types of mental health conditions for children and young people (5-15 years) were: 14.2% anxiety, 6.6% ADHD, 3.1% depression, 0.8% conduct disorder and 1.1% other.
In 2022, 59.9% (53.3-65.8)% of children and young people (5-15 years) reported receiving treatment for a mental health condition. The type of treatment received by the children and young people were: 42.9% health professional, 18.2% medication, 16.9% counsellor, 1.1% online and 4.9% other.
Data Source: SA Population Health Survey
Self-reported health
In 2023:
• 78.7% of Year 4 to Year 10 school students in SA who participated in the Department for Education, Wellbeing and Engagement Collection (WEC) considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (81.3% in 2019) In Tasmania, the other Australian jurisdiction that participates in the WEC, 74.3% of Year 4 to Year 10 students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (74.4% in 2020).
• 81.6% of Year 6 school students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (85.0% in 2019). In Tasmania, the proportion of all Year 6 students was 79.3% in 2022 (79.4% in 2020).
• 72.1% of Year 10 students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (70.6% in 2019). In Tasmania, the proportion of all Year 10 students was 64.8% in 2022 (60.2% in 2020).
Data Source: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, South Australia