Behaviours affecting current and future health—obesity and physical activity
A growing concern is the onset of behaviours during adolescence that contribute to noncommunicable diseases and conditions, both during youth and later in life. WHO, in consultation with Member States, has identified a core set of indicators29 that monitor risk factors for noncommunicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes. Several of these indicators focus on adolescents, including obesity, physical activity, and alcohol and tobacco use.
NCD indicators relevant to adolescent healthObesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes during adolescence and adulthood. It is a key condition to monitor, prevent and treat.30 Around one of every four adolescents who participated in the WHO global consultation thought obesity and overweight were the most important health problems affecting adolescents. In both the HBSC and GSHS, obesity is the only health condition assessed to measure progress in preventing noncommunicable diseases. These data cover only younger adolescents (ages 13–15). The STEPS data measure obesity among older adolescents in just 21 countries.
Prevalence. There are regional differences in the prevalence of obesity. African and South-East Asian countries report the lowest levels of obesity among both younger and older adolescents, but there is wide variation within regions as well. Among the 56 countries where younger adolescents’ heights and weights are measured, in 14 countries more than 10% of boys are obese, as is the case for girls in 9 countries. High rates of obesity are reported in some Western Pacific and Eastern Mediterranean countries.
In most of the 21 countries with STEPS data for older adolescents, young women had higher rates of obesity than young men. Again, the highest levels were in the Western Pacific Region. In 6 of the 21 countries, obesity rates were 10% or higher among older adolescents. Rates of overweight and obesity in Europe and North America were measured in HBSC with self-reported height and weight data. Only one country, the United States, reported obesity prevalence of 10% or higher. Trends in most middle and high income countries in Europe and North America show no change, but 8 of 32 countries report increases in the proportion of boys or girls who are obese.
Physical activity and obesity (HBSC)Adequate physical activity is important to prevent overweight and obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease31 and to promote adolescents’ emotional health.32 Guidelines recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity per day for adolescents.33 Most younger adolescents in countries implementing the GSHS or HBSC do not achieve that level. Younger boys tend to be more active than younger girls, and adolescents in lower and middle income countries are more likely to be active than in high income countries. Still, no country has even half of its adolescents meeting the recommended daily activity level.
Physical activity and obesity (GSHS)Similarly, the majority of older adolescents (15–19 years) in most countries monitored by the STEPS do not meet the physical activity levels recommended by WHO. Young women are less likely than young men to meet the target.
Trends. Among high income countries in the HBSC, trends are mixed. In all of the high income countries, 20% or fewer 15-year-old girls got the recommended daily amount of moderate or vigorous physical activity. In only seven countries did more than 25% of boys reach the recommended level of daily physical activity.
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 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
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
Adolescents on bad habits: it’s a quicker and easier way to satisfy my hunger. I like to eat.
female, 12-14, Peru
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
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
Give us real information about our rights and about sexual health. Also information about nutrition and healthy behaviours.
male, 15-17, 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
When I became sexually active I never wore a condom, and I didn’t know how to use one.
male, 18-19. Mexico
I just wanted to test it out, then it became a habit.
female, 15-17, France
I love sweets, and I haven’t found a balance between normal and excessive consumption.
female, 18-19. Venezuela
Adolescent on bad habits: To party and escape your daily troubles!
male, 15-17, France
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
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
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
I love drinking and partying, I do it quite often. I also smoke quite often.
male, 18-19, France
I haven’t learned about what I should and shouldn’t eat.
female, 18-19, Mexico
Adolescents on what should be done to improve their health: Raising awareness about sexual identities and orientation.
trans, 12-14, Argentina
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
That cigarettes, alcohol and drugs not be in style anymore.
female, 15-17, France
