Nearly a fifth of children have gone to bed hungry

A survey on the health and well-being of children has found less than a quarter are meeting recommended physical activity guidelines, while nearly a fifth have gone to bed hungry, because of a lack of available food.

The findings from the latest Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) survey show a fifth of girls and a third of boys are very happy with their lives at present.

However, older teenage girls are less likely to report high levels of life satisfaction, happiness and wellbeing.

More than 9,000 children aged between 10 and 17 took part in the survey, which was carried out at primary and post-primary schools around the country.

It was conducted by researchers from the University of Galway, on behalf of the Department of Health.

The study is part of an ongoing programme to record and track the lifestyles, behaviours and experiences of children, with surveys carried out every four years.

Just under 30% had been bullied once or more in the months prior to completing the questionnaire. There has been an increase in the incidence of cyberbullying, with 18% of those surveyed experiencing this, up from 15% in 2018.

The report also looks at how the pandemic, and associated measures, impacted on younger people.

40% of children reported that public health restrictions had a negative impact on their mental health and school performance, with girls and older children more likely to report such experiences.

There has been a slight rise in the number who have never consumed alcohol, with 69% of respondents falling into that category.

Some 9% of those surveyed had smoked, compared to 12% four years ago.

However, 18% had used vapes or e-cigarettes, while 6% reported cannabis usage in the previous year.

Almost a quarter of children eat vegetables every day, but nearly 20% never eat breakfast on school days.

When it comes to sexual health, the survey found one in four 15-17-year-olds reported ever having sex. 48% said they or their partner used a condom, down from 62% in the last survey.

Only 24% of children report reaching the recommended level of 60 minutes of physical activity every day of the week, but half report participating in vigorous exercise four or more times per week.

Boys, younger children and children from higher social class groups are more likely to fall under this heading.

The 2022 report also examines menstrual health and period poverty for the first time.

60% of girls reported missing school at some stage due to period symptoms, while a tenth had experienced an inability to afford period products.

Joint Principal Investigator for the HBSC, Professor Colette Kelly, said it was concerning that children from lower socioeconomic backgrounds consistently reported more negative health outcomes.

She said she hoped the study would provide a foundation upon which effective policy and societal changes could be built.