Health profile of children and youth in Akershus county - Report on young people
Report
|Updated
This health profile of adolescents in Akershus County in Norway in 2002 tells us much about how young people in Akershus understand their own lives and health.
Summary
This health profile of adolescents in Akershus County in Norway in 2002 tells us much about how young people in Akershus understand their own lives and health.
The main tendency in the report is that most young people are at a fine state, with few major problems and health problems. Yet there are dark clouds. We find smaller groups that are characterized by a number of problems and worries. Moreover, we also see that a number of more moderate symptoms and potentially negative behaviors are widespread.
The report covers an age span that gives us an insight into young people's journey into the adult world. Up in the age groups, the pattern we find is more and more congruent with what we know from the adult population - for better or for worse. Upwards in school grades, the sexual activity increases, the use of drugs likewise, the level of physical activity decreases, eating habits are less regular, and their intake of unhealthy products such as soft drinks, snacks and sweets increases. The physical health problems increase upward in the school class levels and so does the use of health services.
Use of tobacco and drugs seems to start already at the end of primary school, and the main recruitment phase seems to be the transition from primary to lower secondary school (junior high school) and even the transition from lower secondary to upper secondary (high school). In high school the increase levels out. In lower secondary schools 13 per cent of the students are daily smokers, whilst 28 percent in high school.
Their own assessment of health status decreases with increasing grade level. The girls report consistently higher rates of illness and physical problems than boys do. Girls also report to a greater extent that they are tired and that they are stressed by schoolwork. On the other hand, we see the boys report a higher consumption of drugs, and the boys are significantly more involved in illegal actions. The boys are also more exposed to violence and intimidation. At the same time the boys reported a positive self-image to a greater extent and convey a greater degree of social protection than girls do, and they report a greater degree of satisfaction with their own body. Furthermore, we see that the girls reported a healthier diet.
Already in lower secondary school, we see that as many as half of the girls have been trying to lose weight. We also see that many of those who have tried to go on a slimming diet, also suffer from poor self concept and body image, and report a smaller degree of social belonging.
All in all, the material witnesses that a problem rarely occurs alone. By and large, it is among the same groups and individuals, that we see the problematic areas building up. Those who are reporting a poor physical health, more often represent poor mental health, and we see correlations between areas of psychosocial health, substance abuse, low social origins, dissatisfaction, and unhealthy diet.
Concerning mental health, we see that nearly one in five children describe symptoms of emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, hyperactivity or problems with peers. Ten percent feel that these difficulties pose a harmful impact on daily life.
Most of the youngsters seem to enjoy school. Only three percent of respondents answered that they do not like school at all. At the same time we see that school creates a lot of stress for almost half of the students. The girls seem more stress prone than boys. More than half of the youths report that they are being tired and worn out weekly or more often. About one third is nervous, feels depressed or has trouble sleeping at least once weekly.
The Western Region of the county (Asker and Bærum) differs in several respects from the county at large. We find lower incidence of mental disorders in the Western Region, their diet is somewhat healthier, and they are participating more frequently in cultural and leisure activities. On the other hand the proportion that has had their first sexual intercourse is lower in Asker and Bærum, there are fewer daily smokers in high school, and fewer have been drunk or used hashish. In high school, however, the Western Region scores high when it comes to tobacco and drugs, while Nedre Romerike here scores low. The use of health services is also high in the Western Region.
Health clinics for youth and school health services are largely used by the young people, and in particular, they turn to these services with questions and guidance about sexuality and contraception. Especially among girls, we see a high use of these services.
At the beginning of each chapter of the report you will find a summary in Norwegian of key findings and trends within the theme that the chapter covers.