4.6%
of Aussie kids eat enough vegetables
63.9% of kids aged 2 to 17 meet the fruit recommendation, but only 4.6% meet the vegetable one.
Source: ABS National Health Survey 2022
Insights
What the numbers say about kids, play and wellbeing
Sourced facts on activity, food and screen time for Northern Beaches families. New insights added every week.
Latest articles
6 min read
Does exercise help kids do better at school?
What the research says about exercise, focus and school results for Aussie kids, plus a simple week of active ideas.
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How hot is too hot for kids to play sport?
No single magic number: how to judge heat risk for kids' sport this Sydney summer, spot heat illness early and keep them active.
Read article6 min read
Should your child try lots of sports or focus on one?
Australian sports doctors say kids under 12 should try lots of sports. Here is the evidence on injury, burnout and long-term success.
Read article5 min read
How much time outside protects kids' eyesight?
Short-sightedness in kids is rising. Australian research shows time outdoors protects young eyes. Here is how much, and how to do it sun safe.
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When should kids start swimming lessons?
Swim schools take babies from 6 months, but skills click around age 4. Australian drowning data and a pre-summer swim plan for parents.
Read articleQuick facts
B-
Australia's global grade for organised sport
Denmark scored A, Canada C+, the US C and England D.
Source: Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance, Global Matrix 4.0 (2022)
2h 51m
of sedentary screen time a day for kids 5 to 17
Compared with 1h 25m of physical activity a day.
Source: ABS National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey 2023
D+
Australia's grade for active travel to school and around town
Japan and Denmark scored A-. For Aussie kids 5 to 17, active travel adds about 17 minutes of activity a day.
Source: Global Matrix 4.0 (2022); ABS NNPAS 2023
49.1%
of US kids aged 1 to 5 skipped daily vegetables in 2021
In Australia, 4.5% of kids 2 to 17 don't usually eat vegetables daily (2022). Age groups differ, so treat this as a loose comparison.
Source: CDC MMWR 2023; ABS National Health Survey 2022
755,000
kids aged 0 to 8 swim, the number one activity for that age
Ahead of soccer (313,000) and gymnastics (226,000). From 9 to 14, soccer takes the top spot with 378,000.
Source: AusPlay 2025
60%
of kids 5 to 17 use screens in the hour before bed
So do 29.5% of 2 to 5 year olds. Even so, 84.1% of kids 5 to 17 still met the minimum sleep guideline.
Source: ABS NNPAS 2023
2.1%
of 4 to 8 year olds meet the vegetable recommendation
That compares with 20.1% of 2 to 3 year olds, as recommended serves rise from 2.5 to 4.5 a day.
Source: ABS National Health Survey 2022; Australian Dietary Guidelines
16.2%
of kids 5 to 11 have soft drink or flavoured mineral water
Down from 25.7% in 2011-12. For 2 to 4 year olds it fell from 8.1% to 3.9%.
Source: ABS NNPAS 2023
15.6%
of 12 to 14 year olds meet the screen time guideline
Compared with 45.5% of 5 to 8 year olds. For physical activity it is 8.2% versus 30.8%.
Source: ABS NNPAS 2023
General information only, not health or medical advice. Figures are from published Australian and international research.
Turn the numbers into a plan
Try a class with jumpIN or find something free this weekend.