Unhealthy behaviours among Canadian adolescents: prevalence, trends and correlates.

Introduction: This study examines (1) time trends in the prevalence of selected unhealthy behaviours among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years, (2) the most commonly adopted combinations of unhealthy behaviours, and (3) socio-economic and sociodemographic correlates of unhealthy behaviours among adolescents.

Methods: A secondary analysis used data collected from 13 198 Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) respondents in 2000/2001 and 11 050 CCHS respondents in 2007/2008.

Results: Although the proportion of adolescents consuming a healthy diet increased over the study period, about 50% are still consuming insufficient amounts of fruit and vegetables. In both cycles over one-third of adolescents aged 15 to 17 years reported drinking alcohol regularly. Income level, education level, sex, and language spoken at home were significantly associated with the odds of engaging in unhealthy behaviours among those aged 12 to 14 years, while income level was no longer associated with the odds of engaging in unhealthy behaviours among those aged 15 to 17 years. For both age groups, a language other than French or English spoken in the home was associated with a low risk of unhealthy behaviours.

Conclusion: There was a general decrease in unhealthy behaviours among younger adolescents aged 12 to 14 years.