NCJ Number
203597
Date Published
2003
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This report provides summary information about United States youth in comparison to youth from other countries from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study.
Abstract
The international HBSC study has been collecting school-based survey information from teenagers every 4 years since 1985-86. The goal of the HBSC study is to collect and analyze information regarding adolescent health and health-related behavior in the context of family, school, and peers. International comparisons are made to demonstrate common factors and highlight differences associated with cultural influences. The United States participated in the HBSC study for the first time in 1998 in order to improve adolescent health through targeted, research-based programming. This summary report offers data on areas where United States adolescents’ health or health-related behaviors differ significantly from those of adolescents in other countries. While data were collected on youths aged 11, 13, and 15 years of age, this report only summarizes the data concerning 15-year-olds. Some of the important differences between United States youth and youth from other countries include the fact that United States youth experience more stomachaches, backaches, headaches, and difficulty sleeping at least once a week. These differences may be due to differences in general fitness levels and diet, with United States adolescents more likely to eat foods with high sugar content and exercise in the low to moderate range. United States students are less likely to smoke than students in almost all other countries, while United States students report drinking behavior in the moderate range. Communication with parents tends to be more difficult for United States students, perhaps due to the high proportion of students who live with single parents or step parents. Fewer than two out of five United States students report always feeling safe at school and U.S. students ranked high for bullying behavior. This data have served to refocus attention to the salient issues affecting United States students. The more in-depth analysis of the HBSC study results from the various countries reveals that feelings of support and connectedness to family, school, and peers are significantly associated with positive health and behaviors. Addressing this underlying need for connectedness through effective programming will go a long way toward addressing the health and health-related issues of United States teenagers. References