OfSara Bettoni
The Hbsc study conducted on 17 thousand students. The Celata manager: «Strong impact of the socio-economic context, the topic of health must leave hospitals and clinics»
Six out of ten teenagers among those who consider themselves fat or in any case overweightin reality they are not. 11 percent never or almost never eat fruit, 37 percent invest approximately three hours or more of their time on social media. And the socio-economic context almost always has an adverse effect on children who live in more disadvantaged conditions. Except for alcohol abuse.
From the 2022 edition of the Health Behavior in School-aged Children study (the survey at this link) a precise portrait of teenagers emerges, which ranges from eating habits to the relationship with parents, from the anxiety generated by school to drug use.
A considerable sample under the lens: 17 thousand students aged 11, 13, 15 and 17, who responded to the questionnaire proposed to them at school. «It is an international protocol replicated in 50 countries» he explains Corrado Celatahead of research for Lombardy and director of the Health Promotion Unit of the General Directorate of Welfare in the Region.
Nutrition and the relationship with parents
We start from relationships with family. 80.23% of the sample can count on good communication with at least one of their parents and it is always the mother, in every age group, who “knows” her child best.
At the table, a third of those interviewed say they never or almost never see legumesbut about half don’t even go a day without biting into a Sweet. The analysis takes into account, in this as in the other chapters, theimpact of the socio-economic context. «A complex parameter is used – explains Celata – which considers the neighborhood where the child lives, the parents’ educational qualifications, the availability of their own room…». Those who live in a less wealthy context find it easier to drink sugary drinksnotoriously unhealthy, skip breakfast more often and eat less fruit and vegetables.
Less sport
Data in decline regarding sport. From 2014 to today, the share of adolescents who do moderate or intense activity for at least 4 days a week has decreased. «The drastic reduction of spaces for informal socializing weighs heavily», according to Celata. With the transition to high school and the increase in study load, fewer hours are dedicated to sports courses and it is difficult to seize the “extra” opportunities to move: walking to school, taking a walk in the afternoon.
Alcohol and drugs
Alcohol abuse is the only behavior to be affected in reverse in the social context. The higher the status, the more likely the young person has experienced binge drinking (44% of 15 year olds in the «rich» bracket). Obviously, the economic availability of being able to afford spirits and drinks weighs heavily. As regards drugs, at 15 years of age 21.87% of the sample declared having used cannabis.
The enormous amount of data contributes to studying regional prevention programs, but not only. «The weight of the social context – says Celata – tells us that the topic of health must leave hospitals and clinics. And we need to pay attention to teachers too. The teaching staff is extremely motivated, but also frustrated. We must also think about the health of the school, as well as at school.”
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April 12, 2024
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