Research sounds alarm on deteriorating teen health

Researchers are calling for ‘systemic action’ to change teens’ rapidly deteriorating lifestyles, with a study showing unhealthy habits are putting this cohort at serious risk of preventable diseases later in life.
 
New research from the University of South Australia has analysed data from almost 300,000 teenagers aged 12–17 from 73 different countries – assessing their exercise, healthy food consumption and screen time.
 
It found that 85% of teenagers studied do not get enough exercise, 80% do not eat enough fruit and vegetables, 50% regularly consume fast food, 39% have ‘too many’ soft drinks, and 32% spend excessive time on screens.
 
Overall, more than 92% of teenagers reported two or more unhealthy behaviours and 4.5% had five unhealthy behaviours.
 
However, it also found protective factors can help, with teenagers with supportive families and friends had their risk of having four or more unhealthy behaviours reduce by 16% and 4%, respectively.
 
Those living in food-secure households had their risk reduced by 9%.

Lead researcher Dr Ming Li said the teenage years are a ‘critical window’ for physical, mental, and emotional growth, laying the foundation for long-term health.
 
‘But with junk food so readily available, and physical activity often replaced by screen time, more teens are picking up multiple unhealthy habits that could lead to serious health issues down the track,’ she said.
 
‘Some of what we see comes down to rapid urbanisation, sedentary school environments, and limited access to safe recreational spaces, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.
 
‘On top of this, taste preferences, household income, and limited availability of fresh produce, especially in disadvantaged areas, make healthy choices harder to access and maintain.’
 
Globally, the study found teenagers in higher-income countries, such as the Americas and eastern Mediterranean, were more likely to report a higher number of unhealthy behaviours, with 13% of teenagers in these regions recording all five risk factors.
 
Researchers say Australian teenagers are also more likely to report multiple unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, akin to those seen in other high-income countries.

Dr Li says the study’s findings point to the urgent need for tailored and multi-level strategies that ‘go beyond individual choices to address social and environmental conditions’.

‘It’s clear we need systemic action,’ she said.
 
‘Better school-based physical activity programs, urban design that gives teens access to green spaces, policies that make healthy food affordable, and limits on junk food marketing to children.
 
‘Ultimately, good health needs to be an easier, more accessible choice – not one that requires privilege, planning, and willpower.’
 
Log in below to join the conversation.

chronic disease lifestyle preventive health teenagers University of Adelaide young people’s health