[Health Behaviour in school-aged children--results of the international study "Health Behavior in School-aged...

Childhood and adolescence are critical periods in the development and stabilisation of health behaviour and risk behaviour. Typically, individual health behaviour developed during this phase of life is carried into adulthood. The goal of this data analysis was to conduct an international comparison of adverse health behaviour among adolescents, to interpret differences between countries, and to make recommendations for future health promotion and prevention programmes.

The international comparative study "Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" (HBSC) serves as the basis for this data analysis. HBSC is conducted by the WHO (World Health Organization) every four years. The four health behaviour indicators selected from the HBSC study for this analysis include tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and eating behaviour.

Large differences in adolescent health behaviour were identified among the countries of the EU and the USA. German youth when compared with youth in other countries, have higher rates for most selected indicators. To enhance success, prevention and health promotion programmes in Germany should adopt effective strategies from other countries, and include gender-specific and comprehensive programming aspects. Based on this comparison, it is recommended that health interventions should be tailored to the cultural, social, economic and political conditions of a particular country.