Age-related gender differences of relevance for health in Swedish adolescents

To compare different areas of adolescent behaviors and self-perceived health with the aim of identify'ing age and gender differences to facilitate planning of public health preventive measures.

A cross-sectional survey in ten Swedish schools covering all students between 13 and 18 years of age. A validated instrument, Q90, created for use in teenagers, was distributed in the classrooms to 3,216 teenagers.

In all age groups, girls had significantly more problems regarding self-perceived health, i.e., general health, abdominal pain, headache, feeling depressed, and suicidal thoughts, than boys. Ingirls, proportion feelingdepressed increased from 28% inthe youngest group (11% in boys) to 51% in the oldest (20% in boys). Similar results were found for all health-related problems. Significant differences were found between both gender and age groups in experiences of being bullied. A significantly higher frequency of boys than girls admitted to committing vandalism (35% vs. 11% in the oldest age group). The frequency of girls feeling overweight increased moderately with age, from 35% at age 13 y to 50% at age 18 y. The proportion of boys feeling underweight increased more distinctly, from 8% at age 13 y to 29% at age 18 y. Tobacco use and alcohol habits were similar in gender comparisons.

The study demonstrates areas of normative development from early to late adolescence. The striking differences in health perception between girls and boys must be stressed. The results might form a basis for teachers, school health workers, and other health authorities working with adolescents.