Tasmanian Commissioner for Children and Young People Mark Morrissey released his Health and Well-being of Tasmania’s Children, Young People and their Families report on Tuesday.

The report found Tasmanian children had higher levels of drug and alcohol use and smoking amongst teenagers, a higher teenage birth rate, and a higher rate of youth suicide than the national average. 

However, in the early years, Tasmania ranks amongst the best in the country for the number of women attending their first antenatal visit in the first 14 weeks of pregnancy, participation in preschool, immunisation and breastfeeding rates. 

The latest installment of the three-part report focused on middle childhood and adolescence – from the time children enter primary school to when they turn 18.

In this age group, Mr Morrissey found several areas of concern. 

He said there was a need for improvement in the state, especially when young people are struggling. 

“Many of Tasmania’s children get a good start to life … however my report identifies a number of areas of concern for the health of children and young people in Tasmania compared to national averages,” Mr Morrissey said. 

About one third of all Tasmanian children aged between 12 and 15 were found to be overweight and almost 10 per cent were obese.

Children aged between zero and 14 in Tasmania also had the highest rates of type 1 diabetes and just 7 per cent of those aged 14 to 18 met the recommended daily vegetable intake, and 50 per cent met the recommended daily fruit intake. 

The report also found that just 51 per cent of Tasmanian young people attained a year 12 certificate in 2015.

Seventeen per cent of young people aged between 12 and 17 said they were current drinkers, 6 per cent said they smoked, and 16 per cent said they had used illicit drugs – all slightly higher than the national average.