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Health of Middle School Students in France: New Data from the 2014 HBSC Survey

For adolescents, middle school years represent a period of change. The international HBSC (Health Behaviour in School-aged Children) survey, conducted every four years in more than 40 countries, provides an accurate snapshot of the health and well-being of adolescents aged 11 to 15 and tracks changes over time. Santé publique France has participated in the survey for the sixth consecutive year. The 2014 French data were published in mid-December in the form of thematic fact sheets.In 2014, more than 7,000 middle school students responded to the survey in 169 public and private schools in metropolitan France, revealing through their responses significant differences based on gender, age, and socioeconomic background. Overall, 88% of middle school students feel in good health and 82% have a positive perception of their lives (boys more so than girls). However, marked social inequalities emerge in the analysis of health status and behaviors. The proportion of middle school students reporting excellent health is significantly higher in advantaged socioeconomic backgrounds (41%) compared to disadvantaged ones (34%). Obesity and overweight are more prevalent among the least advantaged students compared to the most advantaged (18% vs. 8%), and students who report not engaging in any physical activity are also more often from the most disadvantaged families (7.9% vs. 2.4%). Eating breakfast daily on school days is more common among the most advantaged students (66%) than among the least advantaged (58%). Daily consumption of fruits and/or vegetables, which applies to an average of two-thirds of middle school students, is higher in the most advantaged families (68% vs. 57%), whereas the opposite is true for sugary drinks (26% vs. 35%). Brushing teeth at least twice a day, in accordance with recommendations, is more common among students from the most affluent families (82%) than among students from the least affluent families (72%).The survey also highlights changes in middle school students’ behaviors, such as an increase in toothbrushing, a decrease in violence and bullying, and an increase in regular participation in sports. The survey, however, reveals a more negative perception of life among girls, more frequent recurring psychological complaints (depression, irritability, etc.) and/or somatic complaints (back pain, headaches, etc.), increased stress due to schoolwork, a decline in condom use during the last sexual encounter, and a decrease in daily consumption of fruits and/or vegetables.