Eating habits, screen time, physical activity: P.E.I. student health, by the numbers

The P.E.I. government released the results of its annual student health survey on Tuesday. Here's a quick look at some of the results.

The survey included students in 18 schools from Grades 7 through 12. Among the participating schools, 64 per cent of students completed the survey.

The survey found a decline in the number of students eating fruits and vegetables every day. The percentage fell well below half in both categories.

The survey also found five per cent of students sometimes went to bed hungry because there is not enough money to buy food in their household.

While the survey found many areas for concern, it found an improvement in the number of students meeting the federal guideline of 60 minutes of physical activity every day. The percentage rose from 67 per cent last year to 78 per cent.

While more students are physically active, the average time they are spending on screens is still almost four times what is recommended in national guidelines.

Students are spending an average 7.9 hours on screens, with social media being the top activity.

The survey also revealed an average of 0.9 hours spent on homework.

The survey found little change in e-cigarette and cigarette use.

Eight per cent have smoked a cigarette in the last 30 days, and 18 per cent used an e-cigarette.

The survey asked why students used e-cigarettes, and quitting smoking came a distant third.

Drinking alone was identified as an important concern in the survey.

The number of students reporting drinking alcohol in the previous 30 days was 27 per cent. Of those, about a third reported drinking while alone.

Only about half as many students reported using cannabis, but it was much more common for cannabis users to consume while on their own, with 59 per cent reporting using edibles or smoking cannabis in the previous 30 days.