Gaps, challenges and opportunities
There are gaps and challenges in monitoring the health behaviour of adolescents, even with these multi-country surveys. For example, most of the data are gathered among older adolescents, and even surveys that include adolescents under age 15 tend to survey 13- and 14-year-olds, not 10- to 12-year-olds. The exception is the HBSC, which in European and North American high and middle income countries also surveys 11-year-olds. More widespread developmentally appropriate surveys of younger adolescents may help identify key ages for implementing preventive interventions.
Most population-based adolescent health surveys are conducted in schools. However, even in high income countries, there are adolescents who are not in school and who may face significant health inequities. Surveys in schools may not identify the health needs of runaways and street youth, adolescents of migrant families and those in refugee camps who have limited access to school.
In some countries sexual and reproductive health data among older adolescents are collected only from married young women and not married young men. As the school-based surveys in high income countries show, it is important to ask unmarried boys and girls as well.
As yet there is little consensus on which indicators and protective factors are the best survey measures. Agreeing on measures that all adolescent health surveys used would paint a clearer picture of the health and well-being of adolescents worldwide.
Adolescents on what should be done to improve their health: Raising awareness about sexual identities and orientation.
trans, 12-14, Argentina
When I became sexually active I never wore a condom, and I didn’t know how to use one.
male, 18-19. Mexico
Adolescents on bad habits: Sometimes laziness and inactivity, I'm not doing sports, and excessive eating of sweets and harmful foods and soft drinks and fruit after midnight.
female, 15-17, Saudi Arabia
I haven’t learned about what I should and shouldn’t eat.
female, 18-19, Mexico
That cigarettes, alcohol and drugs not be in style anymore.
female, 15-17, France
I love drinking and partying, I do it quite often. I also smoke quite often.
male, 18-19, France
Adolescents on definition of health: To have the ability to do things well, without any sort of discomfort or pain. To ensure a comfortable future, without any complications like diabetes or any sort of cardiac disease, etc., caused by what was done in the past.
female, 18-19, Mexico
I feel stress over sexual issues - no one wants to give me information, and I also get anxious because I feel that I am doing something wrong.
male, 15-17, Mexico
Adolescents on bad habits: it’s a quicker and easier way to satisfy my hunger. I like to eat.
female, 12-14, Peru
Give us real information about our rights and about sexual health. Also information about nutrition and healthy behaviours.
male, 15-17, Mexico
Sometimes it's just hard to pass up on something that tastes so good even if it is bad for your body. I have to remind myself that part of the reason it does taste so good is because of the added artificial flavouring or excess sugar content.
female, 18-19, United States of America
Adolescents on definition of health: To find myself comfortable with body, and to feel nothing that could make me feel bad about or within myself.
female, 18-19, Spain
Adolescent on bad habits: To party and escape your daily troubles!
male, 15-17, France
I love sweets, and I haven’t found a balance between normal and excessive consumption.
female, 18-19. Venezuela
I think I am physically and mentally healthy, but I feel emotional pain as a result of many different things that have happened over time.
female, 18-19, Mexico
Each individual has his or her own life philosophy. I have my own life philosophy: Enjoy the present moment and take each day at a time. Enjoy the moments of youth that are supposed to be the greatest of our existence. It is the age of excess.
male, 18-19, France
It’s basically a thing you do, in part because of the social aspect of these activities, in part, and this especially counts for the cigarettes, as a stress reliever.
male, 18-19, Denmark
Physically I am in good health, but mentally only partially because several obstacles find their way along my path, affecting my mental health, and I have to overcome them.
female, 15-17, Canada
To be in good health not only means taking care of your body (through participating in sports, eating well, etc.) or just the absence of illness; it also equally involves feeling good in your own skin, being happy with your choices in life and doing what you love.
female, 15-17 Canada
I just wanted to test it out, then it became a habit.
female, 15-17, France
