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Welsh Health Survey 2008: Initial Headline Results

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Welsh Health Survey 2008: Initial Headline Results

The latest National Statistics from the Welsh Health Survey produced by the Welsh Assembly Government were released on 21 May 2009 according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

National Statistics Kitemark These statistics on the health and health-related lifestyle of people living in Wales are based on data from the Welsh Health Survey 2008. The release contains some initial headline results from the 2008 Welsh Health Survey. The main report of the survey will include more detailed information and will be published in September.

The Release
 Statistical Release 71/2009 (PDF 160kB)

Tables (MS Excel 111kB)

The key points from the latest release are:

Illnesses and health status in adults:

  • 19% of adults reported currently being treated for high blood pressure, and 9% for a heart condition (other than high blood pressure).
  • 13% of adults reported currently being treated for a respiratory illness, 13% for arthritis, 9% for a mental illness, and 6% for diabetes.
  • 27% of adults reported having a limiting long-term illness.

Health-related lifestyle in adults:

  • 24% of adults reported that they currently smoked.
  • 23% of adult non-smokers reported being regularly exposed to other people's tobacco smoke indoors.
  • 45% of adults reported drinking more than the daily guidelines on at least one day in the past week, including 28% reporting binge drinking.
  • 36% of adults reported eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables the previous day.
  • 30% of adults reported meeting the guidelines for physical activity in the past week.
  • 57% of adults were classified as overweight or obese, including 21% classified as obese.

Long-standing illness and overweight / obesity in children:

  • 19% of children were reported as having a long-standing illness, including 6% with a limiting long-standing illness.
  • 33% of children were estimated to be overweight or obese (1), including 16% obese.

(1) Using a classification system based on the 85th and 95th percentiles of the 1990 UK BMI reference curves, and not comparable with estimates produced on a different basis.

Contact:
Tel: 029 2082 6710
E-mail: stats.healthinfo@wales.gsi.gov.uk

Next Update:
September 2009 (provisional – to be confirmed on the ‘Due Out Soon’ page)