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,
– 62.4% of children and young people (2-17 years) in SA met the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for fruit consumption (66.9% in 2014-15). Nationally, 63.9% met guidelines for fruit consumption (68.1% in 2014-15).
– 6.4% of children and young people (2-17 years) in SA met the NHMRC guidelines for vegetable consumption (7.7% in 2014-15). Nationally, 4.6% met guidelines for vegetable consumption (5.4% in 2014-15).
Data Source: National Health Survey
In 2023,
– 68.3% of SA children and young people (2-17 years) reported meeting the NHMRC guidelines for fruit consumption and median number of serves of fruit per day.
– 15.7% of children and young people (2-17 years) in SA reported meeting NHMRC guidelines for vegetables consumption and median number of serves of vegetables per day.
Data Source: SA Population 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 2023,
– 3.5% of young South Australians (5-17 years) reported accessing a psychiatrist during the last 12 months (1.9% in 2018),
– 15.4% accessed a psychologist (14.7% in 2018),
– 0.6% accessed self-help (1.1% in 2018), and
– 6.4% accessed other mental health services (4.9% in 2018).
In 2023, 18.1% of SA children and young people (5-15 years) has a mental health condition (16.1% in 2018). The types of mental health conditions SA children and young people (5-15 years) were experiencing: 11.7% anxiety, 8.6% ADHD, 3.8% depression, 0.9% conduct disorder and 0.3% other.
In 2023,
– 45.6% of children and young people (5-15 years) reported receiving treatment for a mental health condition through a health professional (40.7% in 2018),
– 27.1% use medication for treatment of a mental health condition (13.1% in 2018),
– 16.4% use a counsellor for treatment of a mental health condition (9.0% in 2018),
– 2.9% use other types of treatments for a mental health condition (10.7% in 2018), and
– 41.1% receive no treatment for a mental health condition (49.6% in 2018).
Data Source: SA Population Health Survey
Self-reported health
In 2024:
• 79.7% of Year 4 to Year 10 SA students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (81.3% in 2019).
• 81.8% of Year 6 school students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (85.0% in 2019).
• 74.3% of Year 10 students considered themselves to be in good or excellent health (70.6% in 2019).
Data Source: Wellbeing and Engagement Collection, South Australia