One in three children in West Wales aged between four and five years are above a healthy weight, research from Activate West Wales has revealed.
The research also found that at primary school age across the region, fewer than one in four children and young people are achieving the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
The data forms part of a new ‘State of the Region’ report, commissioned by Activate West Wales – which covers Neath Port Talbot, Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire local authorities – and was delivered by The Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS). A wide range of stakeholders, including local authorities, health boards, national governing bodies and community organisations with an interest in health, sport, physical activity, wellbeing and recreation across West Wales took part in the survey.*
The report also found that by secondary school age, sports participation reduces significantly with just 19% of pupils across West Wales achieving the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Boys are significantly more active than girls – with 22–24% of boys meeting the daily guideline compared to just 13–14% of girls.
The data also highlighted high levels of sedentary behaviour with seven or more sedentary hours reported on weekdays, particularly in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot, where levels exceed the Wales average of 17. Across all local authorities, girls were found to be more sedentary than boys.
The purpose of the report is to bring together existing data sources, highlight key patterns and inequalities, and identify opportunities where the Activate West Wales can support greater and more targeted impact.
The review also explored participation in organised sport. Encouragingly, West Wales has a higher percentage of children and young people taking part in organised sport three times per week than the Wales average.
However, girls’ participation remains lower than boys in every local authority. When asked about demand, children and young people with disabilities identified interest in activities such as weightlifting, tennis and archery, while those without disabilities most commonly cited swimming, football and cycling.
Dr Susan Barnes, Chair of Activate West Wales, said: “This first State of the Region review gives us the most comprehensive picture to date of sport, physical activity and health across West Wales. The evidence in the report presents a clear and uncomfortable truth: unless we act decisively now, too many people across our regional footprint will face a future marked by preventable ill health, widening inequality, and diminished opportunity.
“Without intervention, today’s inactive child is highly likely to become tomorrow’s unhealthy adult and will enter the workforce later, leaving it earlier, and spending more years dependent on health and social care services.”
Jamie Rewbridge, CEO of Activate Wales, added: “Reversing this trajectory will require sustained, coordinated action across sectors. No single organisation can deliver the change required. Success depends on collaboration from our government down through our local authorities, health boards, schools, community organisations, clubs, businesses, and national partners. By using what we’ve learned in this report to guide our work in local communities – and by joining forces to break down barriers and promote inclusion – we can help create a healthier, more active and more equal West Wales.
“This report is not an end point, but a starting line for lasting change.”
