Scots children world-leaders in healthy lifestyles

An international survey of more than 200,000 children in 41 countries found that Scottish children scored highly in several measures of a healthy lifestyle.

But experts said there was still concern over high levels of drug and alcohol use among children in Scotland.

The Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children report – compiled by the World Health Organisation – questioned 11, 13 and 15-year-olds in Europe and North America over 2005-6.

The research found that Scotland came second in the table of 11-year-olds eating fruit daily – 55 per cent of girls and 46 per cent of boys – slightly behind Portugal which topped the list.

But by the time they were 13, Scotland dropped to 19th place for daily fruit consumption – compared to England which came top – and 21st place by the age of 15.

The 11-year-olds also scored highly for taking part in an hour of physical activity daily, coming 6th with 25 per cent of girls and 40 per cent of boys exercising.

But by 13, Scottish youngsters dropped to 14th place and 19th for 15-year-olds.

And the report raised concerns about higher levels of alcohol and drug use in Scotland.

Scottish 15-year-olds came eighth in the list of youngsters reporting first being drunk before 13. And 13-year-olds in Scotland ranked second when asked if they had been drunk at least twice – 21 per cent of girls and 22 per cent of boys.

The poll also found 9 per cent of 15-year-olds in Scotland were regular cannabis users.

Candace Currie, an international co-ordinator for the study and researcher at Edinburgh University, said: "This latest study shows progress being made by Scotland in areas such as young people's eating behaviours and physical activity, but also highlights areas of concern, such as alcohol and cannabis use."

Graham Robertson, chief executive of NHS Health Scotland, said the findings would help improve the health of children.

"Governments in all of the 41 countries involved can now identify areas of greatest need," he said.

Alan Sinclair, a visiting fellow at the Work Foundation specialising in children's early years, said waiting until youngsters were in school was too late to change their attitudes to alcohol and drugs. "We have to start much earlier, in the home, if we are really to make a difference. What children see their parents doing could influence their own behaviour in later life," he said.

Minister for public health Shona Robison said: "Scotland is now internationally recognised as leading the way on tackling health inequality.

"However, we are not complacent about improving the health of Scotland's children and young people, and it is clear that further progress must be made."

BACKGROUND

THE public has long been encouraged to eat five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

Successive governments have also invested in schemes to encourage youngsters to eat more healthily, including providing free fruit in schools.

In 2003, the then Scottish Executive announced children in the first two years of primary would receive free fruit. While hailed a success, some experts have questioned if such schemes offer long-term benefits. And, last year, researchers from Leeds University suggested that free fruit in schools did not encourage children to eat more healthily.

The study examined the fruit and nutrient intake of 3,700 children in northern England.

It found that while the scheme initially boosted fruit intake by half a portion a day and slightly raised vitamin levels, the benefits lapsed after seven months.