Trends in Adolescent Health Risk Behaviors and Wellbeing: A 10 Year Observation from the EDIT Surveillance of Tuscany Region, Italy

Vieri Lastrucci, Marco Lazzeretti, Francesco Innocenti, Chiara Lorini, Alice Berti, Caterina Silvestri, Fabrizio Chiesi, Annamaria Schirripa, Sonia Paoli, Giulia Di Pisa, Andrea Moscadelli, Guglielmo Bonaccorsi and Fabio Voller
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Vieri Lastrucci: Epidemiology Unit, Meyer Children’s Hospital, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini 24, 50139 Florence, Italy
Marco Lazzeretti: Epidemiologic Observatory, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
Francesco Innocenti: Epidemiologic Observatory, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
Chiara Lorini: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
Alice Berti: Epidemiologic Observatory, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
Caterina Silvestri: Epidemiologic Observatory, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, 50141 Florence, Italy
Fabrizio Chiesi: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Annamaria Schirripa: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Sonia Paoli: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Giulia Di Pisa: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Andrea Moscadelli: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Guglielmo Bonaccorsi: Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Viale GB Morgagni 48, 50134 Florence, Italy
Fabio Voller: Epidemiologic Observatory, Regional Health Agency of Tuscany, Via Pietro Dazzi 1, 50141 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 11, 1-18

Abstract: Background : The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of prevalence of health risk behaviors (HRBs) and health conditions over a 10 year period (2008–2018) in a representative sample of adolescents of Tuscany Region, Italy. Methods : This was a repeated cross-sectional (four survey waves) study. The prevalence of 17 HRBs and health conditions were analyzed by age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES). Results : A total of 21,943 students were surveyed. During the study period, decreases in smoking participation, cocaine use, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and problem gambling were observed, while alcohol abuse and at-risk sexual behaviors remained unchanged or increased. Males resulted more frequently involved in most of the HRBs, while females more frequently reported physical inactivity, regular smoking, and not using a condom. Female participation in smoking and alcohol abuse behaviors, fruit and vegetable consumption, and bullying worsened over the study period. Smoking, poor dietary habits, physical inactivity, high distress level, and obesity were more frequently observed in low-SES students than in high-SES students. Conclusions : The findings showed different tendencies in adolescent participation in HRBs over the last decade; concerning trends in at-risk sexual behaviors and alcohol consumption and females’ risk-taking behavior on the rise require careful monitoring.

Keywords: adolescents; health risk behaviors; surveillance system; substance abuse; sexual behaviors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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