EMR 105: Health, Sport and Physical Activity in

AustraliaBrett Wendt – 11526004

5/05/2015

Major health Issues that impact on the health of Australian youth

(patterns, causes, effects) There are many forms of health issues that can impact the youth of Australia. These health issues can be either physical or psychological and each can affect Australian youths in many different ways. The biggest issues concerning young Australians include:• Depression• Anxiety disorder• Autism• Diabetes

PatternsDepression

• Higher rates of depression in females• 1 in 16 young

Australians experiencing depression• 1 in 4 young

Australians unhappy with their lives.

More information at:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2738367

Anxiety DisorderDiabetes• 79% of cases of

diabetes are type 1• Approximately

31,300 Australians aged 0-30 were registered with diabetes.

More information at:http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129542306

Autism• Most common

mental disorder• Affects 9.7% of

Australians, mostly female• Onset of anxiety

commonly occurs during early to late adolescence.

More information at https://www.arcvic.org.au/what-is-anxiety

• Approx. 115,400 Australians had autism in 2012

• This has increased since 2009 with 64,400 people

• Males are more likely to have the condition

More information at http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4428.0

CausesDepression

Many different influences can cause depression including:• Family history• Personality• Serious medical illness• Drug and alcohol useMore information at http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/what-causes-depression

Anxiety DisorderDiabetesType 1:• Family history• Genetics• Geography• Age (between 4 & 7)More information at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/basics/risk-factors/con-20019573 Type 2:• Family history• Age (55+)• OverweightMore information athttp://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/Understanding-Diabetes/What-is-Diabetes/Type-2-Diabetes/

Autism• Job stress or job

change• Diabetes• Change in living

arrangements• Verbal, sexual,

physical or emotional abuse or trauma

More information at http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/what-causes-anxiety

Autism has no definite single cause. It is a very complicated illness where cases are increased depending on genetics and sometimes environment plays a role. More information at https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/content/what-causes-autism

EffectsDepression

• Effects emotion• Can cause eating

disorders (anorexia, bulimia)• Weakened immune

system• Person feels empty or

aloneMore information at http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body

Anxiety DisorderDiabetesType 1• Heart and blood

vessel disease• Nerve damageMore information at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/basics/complications/con-20019573Type 2• Kidney damage• Eye damageMore information at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/basics/complications/con-20031902

Autism• Irritability• Headaches• Nausea• Trembling• TwitchingMore information at http://www.timberlineknolls.com/mood-personality/anxiety/signs-effects

• Difficulty in understanding what is happening around the person suffering from autism

• An inability to predict what will happen (cause & effect)

More information at http://www.autismbedfordshire.net/about-autism/effects-on-the-individual-and-their-family/

How does physical activity and sport help to achieve better health outcomes for the Australian

youth?

What are the benefits and health outcomes of physical activity?

• Control of weight• Improved mental state and an improved mood• Helps to combat diseases• Boosts energy to combat drowsiness• Improves longevity

http://www.healthline.com/health/5-benefits-healthy-habits#BoostsEnergy5

How does physical activity and sport help to achieve better health outcomes for the Australian

youth?

What are the negative side effects of an inactive lifestyle?• Increased chance of high blood pressure• Risk of developing heart disease• Osteoporosis can occur• Doubles the risk of obesity• Colon and breast cancer risks increase• Higher chance of developing depression and anxietyhttp://www.symptomfind.com/health/effects-of-physical-inactivity/

The role that schools play in improving the health status of

Australian youthAustralian schools run many activities that raise awareness of the health benefits and the many other positive associated with physical activity and healthy lifestyles. The promotion of team sports and competitions run by schools such as athletics and swimming carnivals can boost the overall morale of the students and bring students together whom share a common goal.Australian schools support many different sports in their schools and encourage good sportsmanship and comradery through healthy physical activity on a regular basis.Schools run other activities that encourage healthy eating and its benefits by recommending the kinds of food to bring to the school for recess and lunch.

The role that schools play in improving the health status of

Australian youthActivities run by schools to increase awareness of healthy

lifestyles• Fruit break – eating a piece of fruit every day that the students bring

to the classroom.• Sun Smart school program – promoting safe conduct of activities in

the sun. wearing hats, sunscreen and glasses.• AusKick – teaching AFL to primary students to promote physical

activity and team sports.

Summary

There are many different mental health and physical health issues that are affecting our students across Australia and each are caused by a combination of many different factors. With the applied forces of our government, schooling systems and even volunteers from across the country we are able to raise awareness for these students in order to teach them how to lead healthy lifestyles and the benefits of having a healthy life. While some illnesses cannot be prevented they can be managed through leading active, healthy lives and it is only by knowing what it is to be healthy can our students lead their own lives productively.

Referencing

1. Pietrangelo, A. (30/09/2014). The effects of depression on the body. Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/depression/effects-on-body

2. What causes depression? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/depression/what-causes-depression

3. Mayo clinic staff. (02/08/2014). Diseases and conditions type 1 diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes/basics/risk-factors/con-20019573

4. Type 2 diabetes. In understanding diabetes. (19/12/2013). Retrieved from http://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au/Understanding-Diabetes/What-is-Diabetes/Type-2-Diabetes/

5. What causes anxiety? (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/anxiety/what-causes-anxiety

6. What causes autism? (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/content/what-causes-autism

Referencing (in order of use)

7. Ross, C.E. Mirowsky, J. (30/06/1989). Explaining the social patterns of depression: control and problem solving – or support and talking? Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2738367

8. AIHW. (06/12/2012). Diabetes among young Australians. Retrieved from http://www.aihw.gov.au/publication-detail/?id=60129542306

9. Anxiety disorders. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.arcvic.org.au/what-is-anxiety

10. Autism in Australia (04/06/2014) Retrieved from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4428.0

11. Mayo clinic staff. (02/08/2014). Diseases and conditions type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/basics/complications/con-20031902

12. Anxiety symptoms and effects. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.timberlineknolls.com/mood-personality/anxiety/signs-effects

Referencing continued

13. Effects of autism on the individual and the family. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.autismbedfordshire.net/about-autism/effects-on-the-individual-and-their-family/

14. 5 benefits of healthy habits. (01/04/2013). Retrieved from http://www.healthline.com/health/5-benefits-healthy-habits#BoostsEnergy5

15. DePietro, M. (21/11/2011). 8 negative health effects of physical inactivity. Retrieved from http://www.symptomfind.com/health/effects-of-physical-inactivity/