HBSC Study

8/ 🌍 On #WorldObesityDay, let’s focus on real solutions that make healthy choices easier for young people. Investing in adolescent health means building a healthier, fairer future. 🔗 Read the full @HBSCstudy + @WHO_Europe report: iris.who.int/handle/10665/3…

7/ 📢 What can be done? 🏫 Schools should provide affordable, nutritious meals + more opportunities to move. 🏙️ Communities need safe, accessible spaces for young people to be active. ⚖️ Governments must restrict marketing of unhealthy foods + improve access to healthier options.

1/ 🧵 Today is #WorldObesityDay. More than 1 in 5 adolescents (22%) in Europe, Central Asia + Canada are overweight or obese. What does the latest @HBSCstudy data reveal about young people’s weight status, physical activity + nutrition? Let’s take a look. ⬇️

🚨 The data is clear: Europe & Central Asia are failing their children. 🔷 Hard-earned progress in reducing child mortality is reversing or stagnating. 🔷 Mental health concerns have doubled since COVID-19 - 1 in 4 children is affected. 🔷 Immunization rates are stagnant, measles outbreaks are back. 🔷 5M children are at risk of developmental difficulties. 🔷 1 in 3 primary school children is living with overweight or obesity. This is not just a health crisis – it’s a crisis for the future of our societies. As Regional Directors for @UNICEF_ECA & @WHO_Europe, we are calling for urgent actions. We need a renewed focus on child and adolescent health and wellbeing, built on 5 key principles: 1️⃣ Investing in child & adolescent health - early interventions = lifelong benefits. 2️⃣ Ensuring duty of care & protection - from quality healthcare to nutritious school meals. 3️⃣ Regulating against commercial harm - protecting children from targeted marketing of unhealthy products. 4️⃣ Strengthening cross-sector governance - aligning health, education, environment & social policies. 5️⃣ Measuring progress & ensuring accountability - @UNICEF_ECA and @WHO_Europe will work together to fill data gaps & assess policy impact. We must act now. The health and wellbeing of children today will shape the world of tomorrow. 📖 Read my joint letter with @R_DeDominicis in @TheLancet: bit.ly/40SQYuu

🚨 Mental health crisis affecting youth in Europe: 👥 1 in 4 young people experience mental health conditions 😔 Most affected: girls, older teens & those from poorer backgrounds ⚠️ Suicide is among the top 3 causes of adolescent death bit.ly/48XB6cy

📱 Digital dilemma: Teen social media use is rising 🔍 11% experience problematic social media use, up from 7% in 2018 👥 1 in 3 maintain continuous online contact 🎮 1 in 5 game for 4+ hours daily Read our analysis: bit.ly/3CNc2bZ #DigitalHealth #YouthWellbeing

10/10 🔬 Evidence-based solutions exist—from strengthening support systems to promoting healthier habits and regulating harmful products. Let’s act now to create change. Explore the findings here: hbsc.org/publications/r… 🌟 #AdolescentHealth

9/10 🔗 Adolescents face overlapping challenges: pandemic recovery, social isolation, rising economic pressures, and concerns about their futures. These pressures are interconnected, demanding holistic and systemic responses.

1/10 🌍 On #WorldChildrensDay, we wanted to share insights from the 2021/22 international survey reports we published with @WHO_Europe. The results reveal stark challenges in adolescent health—& the urgent need for action. A 🧵: