Children from disadvantaged backgrounds in Ireland are more likely to have problems with their health, education and emotional wellbeing by the age of 13, compared with their more advantaged peers, a new report revealed.
The report by Growing Up In Ireland report highlights challenges faced by 13-year-olds; it was based on interviews completed with over 7,400 young people and their families when the children were 13 years old in 2012 and when they were 9 years old in 2007/08. It exposes considerable differences in childhood depending on family background and points out that obesity is high and remains a problem.
Parents from more disadvantaged backgrounds were more likely to report that their 13-year-old had some form of health problem, 33% in the lowest social class, compared with 22% of parents in the highest social class.
Obesity
Overweight and obesity is a problem at 13 years of age, with 20% of 13-year-olds being overweight and 6% obese. Thirty-two per cent the lowest social class were overweight or obese compared with 21% of 13-year-olds from the highest social class. Children from disadvantaged family backgrounds were less likely to take part in organised sport and physical activity. In terms of gender, girls were significantly more likely than boys to be overweight or obese (30% compared with 24%), and less likely to take part in physical exercise than their male peers.
The report shows that once weight status problems were established in earlier childhood they were difficult (but not impossible) to reverse.
There is a certain level of misperception among the 13-year-olds themselves regarding their weight status, according to the report. For example, 21% of the 13-year-olds whose measurements indicated that they were obese described themselves as being ‘Just the right size’ or ‘Very/A bit skinny’.
The stats also revealed that girls were less likely to take part in physical exercise than boys. Children from disadvantaged family backgrounds were less likely to participate in organised sport and physical activity.
Education
In terms of positives, overall, the report found that children had a positive attitude towards school and teachers, and that girls (perhaps unsurprisingly), liked school more than boys. Though teens attitudes towards school generally varied according to family background: 34% of 13-year-olds whose main caregiver had degree-level qualifications liked school very much, compared with 24% of those whose main caregiver had left school at Junior Certificate level. This also had an effect in test and exam performance; it was highest among children from more socially advantaged families (measured in terms of family income, mother’s education and social class).
Social behaviour
Children who were growing up in one-parent families and those who came from families with lower levels of maternal education, were more likely than others to be classified as being at risk of socio-emotional and behavioural problems. Levels of smoking, drinking and drug-taking showed no difference in boys and girls, but were highest among those from lower social class and lower educational backgrounds. Sixteen per cent of 13-year-olds reported that they had never had an alcoholic drink – other than a few sips – with a higher rate among boys than girls.
The report was launched by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone and the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on Wednesday.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Zappone said the data would help build policy for Ireland’s children. “The report highlights some difficulties, and important differences related to family background, with some children from more socially disadvantaged backgrounds doing less well in a number of respects."
“This new data is invaluable and it reinforces our efforts to intervene well and to intervene early – so that we can ensure positive outcomes for all children.“
