Annual Report 2022/23 - Data Updates and Analysis
Participation rate / People engaging in physical activity / Children who are not a healthy weight in Primary 1 / People drinking at harmful levels
Participation rate
Shetland’s participation rate (number of 16-19 year olds who are in education, employment, training and personal development) has consistently performed well. In 2022 Shetland had the fourth highest percentage in Scotland with 96%, although this is a 1% drop compared to 2021. In comparison, 92.4% of 16-19 year olds in Scotland were participating in education, employment or training. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) highlight that the impacts of the pandemic and the absence of Universal Credit data in prior years should be considered when making comparisons between 2022 and 2021, and when comparing 2022 data with earlier years.
People engaging in physical activity
Health indicators showed some improvement, such as people engaging in physical activity*. This rose to 85% in 2021 (the same level as Scotland overall), achieving the 2021 target. While this has fluctuated, there has been an overall increase since 2016’s 77%. The Active Shetland Strategy 2018-2023 aims to help Shetland to be more active, and to give those involved in physical activity and sport the opportunity to meet their potential, excel and be involved to whatever level they can.
Children who are not a healthy weight in Primary 1
There was a decrease in the percentage of children who are not a healthy weight in Primary 1 compared to the previous year (17.3% compared to 22.1%). Whilst an improvement, this misses the 2021 target of no more than 12.5%.
More information on Scottish child healthy weight policies can be found in the Public Health Scotland report for Body Mass Index of Primary 1 Children in Scotland School Year 2021/22. NHS Shetland is working alongside partners to meet new standards for children’s weight management services.
People drinking at harmful levels
20% of people were drinking at harmful levels between 2017 and 2021. Data shows there has been a gradual reduction since 2012-2015 (27%). The level for Shetland is lower than the Scottish level of 24% for 2017-2021. However the level is still higher than the 2021 target of 18%. A fifth of people in Shetland drink above the Chief Medical Officers’ low-risk guidelines. This includes 10% of women and 29% of men. More information on alcohol harms in Shetland can be found on Alcohol Focus Scotland’s local profiles.