European teenagers have healthier lifestyles – but are less happy than earlier this century, according to a major survey published today.
New figures from the World Health Organisation show the most important factors influencing the health of school-aged children.
Based on a Europe-wide survey, the figures show that smoking is down among 15 year olds. In 2013/2014, 17% of 15-year-old Europeans had a first cigarette by the age of 13, compared with 24% in a similar survey four years before.
This reduction is larger for girls (a drop of 9%) than boys (4%).
However, "life satisfaction" has fallen overall since the last survey, particularly among children from lower-income families. Nevertheless, life satisfaction has risen in countries such as Croatia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study also looks at other aspects of adolescent health and social behaviour, including mental health, obesity and body image, diet, physical activity, support from families and peers, and bullying.
The report shows that just 25% of 11-year-olds and 16% of 15-year-olds meet guidelines for physical activity.
But there has also been a big fall in use of alcohol. Just 13% of 15-year-olds report drinking alcohol compared with 21% four years ago.
This time, the survey has a special focus on the effects of gender and socioeconomic differences. The report on the 2013/2014 survey is titled "Growing up unequal: gender and socioeconomic differences in young people’s health and well-being".
WHO says thousands of children and adolescents take part in the surveys, which require 340 researchers to analyse.
Dr Zsuzsanna Jakab of the WHO says: "Health behaviours and social habits and attitudes acquired in the critical second decade of a young person’s life can carry on into adulthood and affect the entire life-course. A good start can last a lifetime.
"Despite considerable advances in adolescent health, such as the welcome reduction in adolescent smoking behaviours, many still face huge inequities. The data in the study point us to interventions that can narrow this gap and support the development of positive, lifelong health behaviours."
Findings from the surveys are used to help set WHO strategies to protect and promote the health and well-being of children and adolescents throughout Europe.
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