According to a review in The Lancet, unhealthy foods have overtaken smoking and alcohol as the leading cause of poor health among teenagers.

Experts predict that by 2030, half a billion teenagers worldwide will be overweight or obese, and that being overweight and mental health problems are now the biggest threats to young people's health. The Lancet states that adolescent health is at a “tipping point.” It reports that over the past three decades, the mental health of teenagers has seen a “significant decline,” which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 crisis. It is predicted that by 2030, 464 million teenagers worldwide will be overweight or obese—143 million more than in 2015.

Professor Sarah Baird of George Washington University in the US said: "The health and well-being of adolescents worldwide is at a critical juncture, with mixed progress over the past three decades.

"Although tobacco and alcohol use has declined and participation in secondary and tertiary education has increased, overweight and obesity have increased eightfold in some countries in Africa and Asia over the past three decades, and poor mental health among adolescents is increasingly severe worldwide," Bird added.

According to estimates from the Annual Population Survey conducted by the Office for National Statistics in October last year, around 6 million adults in the United Kingdom will smoke cigarettes in 2023, the lowest proportion since records began in 2011.

The Lancet report states: "Adolescence is a period of dramatic growth in human intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is also the period when habits and patterns of behavior are formed for life, for better or for worse. Globally, 83% of smokers start smoking before the age of 24.“

”Significant progress has been made in all regions in reducing the health risks associated with alcohol and cigarette use. The targets set in 2016 are likely to be achieved by 2030 for female adolescents and may be achieved for male adolescents,“ the report says.

”Progress towards the targets related to dietary risks is much less impressive. The risk of overweight and obesity has increased significantly in all regions,“ the document adds.

The authors also highlight how the transition to a ”more digital world“ could have a ”profound impact on the future health and well-being of young people." However, they cautioned against “excessively restricting” access, saying there must be a balance, emphasizing that the online world offers teenagers new opportunities for social interaction, education, and employment.

The report states: “Three-quarters of lifetime mental disorders emerge before the age of 24.”

Professor Bird added: "The challenges facing young people around the world are likely to be exacerbated by new global issues, including climate change, global conflicts, and the rapid transition to a more digital world. Investing in the health and well-being of young people is crucial to safeguarding our shared future." | BGNES