The Azores Situation Report Wednesday 17th May 2023
by Chris Noble
Four out of 10 pre-school children in the Azores are overweight or obese
Four out of 10 pre-school children in the Azores are overweight or obese and at the various levels of education a reduction in motor proficiency has been detected, according to preliminary data from a study.
“If we talk about children in the 2nd and 3rd cycle and secondary schools in the region, one in three is overweight or obese. On the other hand, in pre-school, which was probably the population group most affected by the arrest of the pandemic [of covid-19], the number is more worrying: four out of 10 ”, said the professor at the Faculty of Sports at the University of Porto José Maia, coordinator of the Despertar project, which assesses the physical condition of children and young people in the Azores.
The study, which began collecting data in November/December 2022, covered, until May 1, 3,500 children and young people from preschool to secondary in the Azores, between 3 and 18 years old.
In addition to an increase in weight, preliminary data indicate that there is a “lower motor proficiency” at different levels of education, compared to studies carried out in previous years in the Azores, Madeira, Matosinhos or the United States of America.
In the 1st cycle, for example, the success rate in performing four or five fundamental motor skills together is “low” and lower than data collected in Matosinhos.
At this level of education, girls proved to be “less skilled” than boys.
Also, in the 2nd and 3rd cycles there was a decrease in the physical fitness success rate, compared to 2007 data.
Only one in 10 young people passed the physical fitness test criteria and only one in five had a “functional” level in the dynamic postural assessment.
“It is worrying, but not surprising. It is worrying, because we must solve this problem, it is not surprising, because it has to do with the immediate and delayed effects of the pandemic”, stressed the project coordinator.
There are five islands with data already closed, but the final report should only be completed in the first quarter of 2024.
By mid-June, data collection in schools will end and, by the end of the year, physical activity, habits and quality of sleep in a family environment will be monitored.
The initial objective was to involve 7,000 children and young people (about 25% of the total in the region), a number that was reduced to 5,000, but this is, even so, according to José Maia, the “most extensive study carried out on a national scale” on the physical condition of children and young people.
The study is being carried out by about three dozen Physical Education teachers and Sports students, involving five departments of the Regional Government of the Azores.
Azores with six observation points on four islands for monitoring the coast.
The Azores will have six observation points to monitor the coast, integrated in the Integrated Surveillance, Command and Control System (SIVICC) of the GNR, in São Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico, announced the Minister of Internal Administration.
The investment [planned for the Azores] until 2026 will make it possible to locate six observation towers that will be articulated with mobile means of inspection and coastal control.
As part of the SIVICC of the National Republican Guard (GNR) in the Azores, posts will be installed in the parishes of São Roque and Ponta Garça, in São Miguel, in Monte Brasil and Praia da Vitória, in Terceira, in Espalamaca in Faial and in Santo António in the Peak.
SIVICC, which already exists on the mainland and in Madeira, is a technological platform that allows the location and identification of threats in the territorial sea, coastline and external border, being aimed at detecting drug trafficking, trafficking of goods and people, smuggling, illegal immigration, protection of the environment and even in the aid of search and rescue missions.
The implementation of the system in the Azores will represent a total investment of over 7.6 million euros and includes the acquisition of a patrol vessel.
Azores register 197 thousand tourist overnight stays in March, 19.8% more than in the same period.
The Azores recorded 197,000 overnight stays in tourist accommodation in March, 19.8% more than in the same period last year, according to data revealed by the Azores Regional Statistics Service (SREA).
The year-on-year increase in overnight stays was lower than that registered in the country, which, according to SREA, reached 26.7%.
The number of overnight stays by residents in Portugal (105.1 thousand) was higher than that of tourists residing abroad (91.9 thousand), however, international tourists recorded a year-on-year growth of 47.4%, while nationals rose only 3%.
The number of guests (68.1 thousand) showed “a positive year-on-year change rate of 23%”.
In the accumulated value from January to March, the region registered 449.7 thousand overnight stays and 160.2 thousand guests, with an average stay of 2.81 days.
“Tourist demand in the Azores, in the first quarter of 2023, showed an increase compared to the same period of 29.4% in overnight stays and 32.1% in guests for all tourist accommodation establishments”, says SREA.
More than half of overnight stays in March in the Azores took place in hotels (133.1 thousand), which registered “a positive year-on-year variation of 16.3%”, with more residents in Portugal (80.9 thousand) than abroad (52 ,2 thousands).
Even so, international tourists saw a higher increase (44.9%) than that seen among nationals (3.2%).
Total income from hotels in March increased by 43.6% and the average income per room used was 64.1 euros.
It was among passengers coming from international flights that there was the biggest increase compared to the same period last year (65.7%), with 18,402 people disembarking at airports in the region in April.
On Friday, mass takes place in the Sanctuary at 8:00 am and 9:00 am. In addition, there will be a mass at 11:00 that will take place in the Church of São José, dedicated to the sick, with the sacrament of the holy anointing.
“Decarbonization is the future, it is our big bet”, said the administrator of the public company for maritime transport of passengers and vehicles in the archipelago, who was heard today at the Economy commission of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, meeting in Angra do Heroísmo, following his nomination for chairman of the board of directors.
According to the Regional Command of the Azores of the PSP, in addition to those two men, the police detained, on the 26th of April, a third suspect, who was left with “the measure of coercion of mandatory periodical presentations before the authorities”.
Among the beaches distinguished with this symbol of environmental quality, there is a new bathing area, namely Calhetas da Maia, in the municipality of Ribeira Grande, and there are also records of two re-entries, one at Piscina do Carapacho and one at Praia, both located in Santa Cruz da Graciosa. There is also an exit, namely Prainha, located in Angra do Heroísmo.
“The Azores are the perfect destination to experience throughout the year and on all islands, as they offer nature, adventure, and a rich history, combined with a very diverse built heritage. All this leverage contributes to the economic sustainability and social sustainability that our Region needs”, he underlined.
At a press conference at the Ponta do Sossego viewpoint, in the Northeast, Marco Moura, vice-president of the local council, said that registrations are already closed and that compared to 2022 there is an increase of 200 participants.