{"id":630,"date":"2024-02-09T12:40:43","date_gmt":"2024-02-09T12:40:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/?p=630"},"modified":"2026-03-11T08:58:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T08:58:38","slug":"experts-continue-working-to-help-shape-a-healthier-way-of-life-across-wales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nish.wales\/en\/2024\/02\/09\/experts-continue-working-to-help-shape-a-healthier-way-of-life-across-wales\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts Continue Working to Help Shape a Healthier Way of Life Across Wales"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The importance of physical activity for all ages has been highlighted by researchers at Swansea University.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of Welsh Institute of Physical Activity, Health and Sport (WIPAHS),<\/a><\/strong> researchers at Swansea University have been using their expertise to examine a wide range of issues and their findings are now set to shape how leaders can help people in Wales to live healthier lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its fourth annual report<\/a> has just been released to coincide with Children\u2019s Mental Health Week which runs until Sunday, February 11.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WIPAHS is a pan-Wales network which sees all eight Welsh universities working with Sport Wales, Welsh Government and Public Health Wales. It brings together academia, those facilitating physical activity and sport, policy makers and the public to help create a healthier society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WIPAHS Co-Director Professor Kelly Mackintosh<\/a><\/strong>, of Swansea University\u2019s Sport and Exercise Sciences Department,<\/a> said: \u201cIt is particularly appropriate that we are publishing this report now, during Children\u2019s Mental Health Week; physical activity is vital for mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBy helping to ensure not only children but people of all ages have access to physical activity of some kind, we can play a key role in promoting better mental health and tackling health inequalities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among other projects, WIPAHS is currently working to assess the physical activity levels and behaviours of children and adolescents across Wales and their relationship with mental health and wellbeing. Information collected via a series of online surveys, and device-based physical activity tracking, will allow researchers to identify the impact of factors such as the pandemic, changes to the school curriculum and funding decisions on young people across Wales. This data will also be utilised to identify specific areas that require targeted intervention strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the past year, WIPAHS has also been involved in wide-ranging projects, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n