Testing Times for School Children in West Wales

A study led by Professor Rhys Williams from the School of Medicine at Swansea University and Dr Non Thomas from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (UWIC) has been launched as part of a wider programme, namely, ‘Prosiect Sir Gar’ -The Carmarthenshire Project - to try to cut the risk of heart disease in Wales.

The research involves pupils from Maes-yr-Yrfa in Cefneithin, Ysgol Gyfun Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen and Ysgol Gyfun Strade in Llanelli.

A survey by the Sports Council for Wales earlier this year highlighted that one in four schools in Wales provides barely half the two hours of PE demanded in the National Curriculum.

Dr Thomas, who is senior lecturer at the Cardiff School of Sport, UWIC and studying the effectiveness of PE programmes in Welsh schools, said: “We are now taking measurements of school children in Carmarthenshire to look at their fitness levels and prevalence of cardiovascular disease markers. We need to determine their current health profile so that, where necessary, workable interventions can be put in place.”

“From the data collected so far, it is evident that young people in Wales, are still not undertaking physical activity of sufficient intensity to yield health benefits. The findings are also showing that adolescents continue to consume a diet that is heavily dependent on fatty foods both in school and at home.” 

A recent report by the British Medical Association in Wales has warned that obesity is at “epidemic” levels and is the nation’s “number one health issue”.

“We must continue to strive to change the undesirable lifestyle habits of many Welsh schoolchildren, said Dr Thomas. “It is essential however, that we do not pass on this responsibility to schools alone, parents must also take ownership.”

More than two hundred 12 to 14-year-olds have taken part in comprehensive health and fitness tests including measurement checks on lipid levels, insulin levels, blood pressure, adiposity measures, physical activity levels, and dietary habits. A further one hundred will be measured over the next two months.

Professor Williams hopes the findings of this study would help inform future policy on PE provision in schools. “Ultimately, The Carmarthenshire Project aims to reduce cardiac heart risk of everybody in the county, not just children,” he said.