Young people in Europe and North America face major health inequalities, according to a report published today.
"This report shows us that the situation across Europe is not fair: health depends on age, gender, geography and family affluence," warns Zsuzsanna Jakab of the World Health Organisation.
Today’s report presents results of a 2009/2010 survey of 11-, 13- and 15-year olds in 39 countries. Children were asked about 60 topics related to their health and well-being, social environment, and behaviour.
Overweight and obesity among 11-year old girls ranged from 30 per cent in the US to five per cent in Switzerland. At age 15, smoking rates ranged from over 25 per cent in Austria and Lithuania to ten per cent in Norway and Portugal.
In the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 89 per cent of 11-year-old girls say they like school, compared with 17 per cent in Croatia. Girls’ satisfaction with their lives appears to fall between the ages of 11 and 15, by 15 per cent in Poland and Sweden. But for boys the drop is five per cent.
Overall between the ages of 11 and 15, weekly smoking and drinking rises by 17 per cent. Meanwhile, healthy behaviour such as eating breakfast and fruit declines.
The authors warn that health inequalities which emerge or worsen during adolescence may translate into lasting inequalities in adulthood. They believe that the "socioenvironmental context" can be changed to reduce health-compromising behaviour.
Ms Jakab says: "This report gives policy-makers an opportunity to act to secure the health of the next generation. Once again, young people have used the opportunity to speak. It now falls to us – who cherish their aspirations, ambitions, health and well-being – to act."
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