Všechny publikace

Objectives: Regular monitoring of health-related behaviours among vulnerable populations is of public health importance. This study examines trends in cigarette smoking among Czech adolescents followi…

Objectives: Regular monitoring of health-related behaviours among vulnerable populations is of public health importance. This study examines trends in cigarette smoking among Czech adolescents following the marked changes reported in the mid-2010s. Methods: Data from three recent rounds of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in Czechia in 2014, 2018, and 2022 were analysed. Temporal trends were assessed for two indicators of adolescent cigarette use: (i) lifetime cigarette use and (ii) cigarette use in the last 30 days. Binary logistic regression was used to test for temporal changes between survey periods. In 2022, the same two indicators were also calculated for electronic cigarette use. Results: A continuing decline in adolescent cigarette use was observed for both indicators, extending the trends reported in the mid-2010s into the 2020s. However, the findings also highlight the increasing prevalence of electronic cigarette use among Czech adolescents. Conclusions: Although conventional cigarette use among adolescents continues to decline, the growing popularity of electronic cigarettes undermines efforts to reduce overall nicotine exposure and, in the long term, could counteract the intended trends in nicotine-related harms.

Objectives: Planetary-health literacy (PHL), the knowledge, motivation and social support required to safeguard both human and environmental health, may help adolescents cope with climate-related dist…

Objectives: Planetary-health literacy (PHL), the knowledge, motivation and social support required to safeguard both human and environmental health, may help adolescents cope with climate-related distress and adopt sustainable behaviours. Evidence on the linkage between PHL and mental health from Central and Eastern Europe is lacking. The aim of the study was to describe PHL in Czech adolescents by sex, grade and family affluence, examine its association with mental-health indicators, and explore links with selected environment-relevant behaviours. Methods: Cross-sectional data were drawn from the nationally representative Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2022 survey (n = 4,195, 50.8% boys, ages 13 and 15 years). PHL was measured with an 11-item HBSC optional package yielding three sub-scales (knowledge, action, perceived pro-environmental social norms). Outcomes were wellbeing (WHO-5), life satisfaction (Cantril’s ladder), and psychological complaints (HBSC symptom checklist). Fruit and vegetable intake plus cigarette and e-cigarette use served as behavioural correlates. Results: Girls scored higher than boys on all PHL domains (Cohen d = 0.10–0.19). Thirteen-year-olds reported more action and stronger social norms than fifteen-year-olds (p < 0.001); socioeconomic gradients were small. In fully adjusted models, social norms were positively associated with wellbeing (β = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.12–1.72) and life satisfaction (β = 0.10, 0.08–0.13), and inversely with psychological complaints (β = −0.27, −0.33 to −0.21). Knowledge showed weak adverse relations with wellbeing and complaints, whereas action was associated with wellbeing only. Higher PHL related to daily fruit and vegetable consumption and inversely to intensive e-cigarette use; effect sizes were modest. Conclusions: Perceived pro-environmental social norms appear most tightly related to adolescent mental health, while overall PHL is slightly associated with sustainable dietary patterns and lower use of e-cigarettes. School curricula that combine climate education with collaborative, action-oriented projects may therefore deliver co-benefits for planetary and psychological health in Central and Eastern Europe.

Objectives: Previous studies have identified four distinct patterns of adolescent social media use (SMU): (1) Non-active users abstain from social media or engage in online interactions only once a we…

Objectives: Previous studies have identified four distinct patterns of adolescent social media use (SMU): (1) Non-active users abstain from social media or engage in online interactions only once a week or less; (2) Active users connect with others online daily without any functional impairments related to their SMU; (3) Intense users frequently engage with others online but do not meet criteria for problematic use; (4) Problematic users report six or more addiction-like symptoms. The following study aimed to assess the prevalence of these SMU patterns among Czech adolescents; examine changes between 2018 (pre-COVID-19) and 2022; and explore age and gender differences to identify at-risk subgroups. Methods: Data were drawn from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study among 11-, 13-, and 15-year-olds. The study analysed Czech data from the 2017/18 and 2021/22 waves (n = 26,450). Results: Findings revealed marked changes in SMU patterns between 2018 and 2022 among Czech adolescents. Girls and older adolescents reported higher rates of problematic SMU, which increased steadily with age. The share of non-active users declined, most notably among 11-year-olds. Conclusions: The marked increase in both intense and problematic SMU among Czech adolescents highlights a growing public health concern. Given the established associations between problematic SMU and poorer mental health outcomes, these findings call for the integration of digital behaviour monitoring and education into school-based mental health and prevention programs. Particular attention should be given to early adolescence and to gender-specific vulnerabilities.

Objectives: Excess body weight and weight misperception in adolescents are associated with various physical and mental health risks. This study analysed trends in overweight, obesity, body image, and …

Objectives: Excess body weight and weight misperception in adolescents are associated with various physical and mental health risks. This study analysed trends in overweight, obesity, body image, and body weight perception among Czech adolescents between 2002 and 2022, considering gender, age and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: Data were retrieved from the questionnaire of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study conducted in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022 (n=52,363; 49.9% girls). The Difference test between two proportions was used to assess time trends in weight status (WS), body image, and body weight perception across gender and SES groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the likelihood of being overweight/obese, and underestimating or overestimating WS. Results: Between 2002 and 2022, overweight and obesity increased significantly, while non-overweight rates declined across both genders and SES groups, with a greater rise among boys and adolescents from low SES backgrounds. In 2022, more adolescents, regardless the gender and SES, perceived their body as “too thin” compared to 2002. Over the 20-year period, underestimation of WS increased while overestimation decreased among both girls and boys and across all SES groups. Accurate perception of WS rose among girls but worsened among boys. Girls were less likely than boys to be overweight/obese or to underestimate their WS but had higher odds of overestimating it. Conclusions: The significant rise in overweight and obesity, especially in boys and adolescents from low SES backgrounds, during the last 20 years points out to socio-economic disparities and should be taken into account when creating new policies. An improvement in correct perception of WS among girls and a decline in overestimating WS across both genders and SES groups, could help reduce the risks of developing mental health problems or eating disorders, whereas underestimating WS may lead to weight-related issues.

Objectives: Active school transport (AST), such as walking or cycling to and from school, represents an important source of daily physical activity for adolescents. In recent decades, however, many hi…

Objectives: Active school transport (AST), such as walking or cycling to and from school, represents an important source of daily physical activity for adolescents. In recent decades, however, many high-income countries have reported a steady decline in AST. The main objective of this study was to describe long-term trends in active travel to and from school among Czech adolescents aged 11, 13, and 15 years, using nationally representative data collected in five waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study between 2006 and 2022. A secondary aim was to explore selected individual and socioeconomic factors associated with AST participation. Methods: The analysis is based on a total sample of 50,713 adolescents (boys: n=25,628; girls: n=25,085) aged 10.5–16.5 years, with valid self-reported data on travel modes to and from school. AST was defined as walking or cycling as the primary mode of transport. The prevalence of AST was analyzed over time by gender and age category. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the associations between AST and survey year, gender, age group, socioeconomic status (Family Affluence Scale), and commuting time to school. Results: Between 2006 and 2022, the prevalence of AST to school declined from 71.6% to 54.9% among boys and from 71.8% to 54.8% among girls. A similar trend was observed for AST from school, although participation remained consistently higher than in the morning. The strongest negative predictors of AST were longer commuting time and higher socioeconomic status. Girls had slightly lower odds of AST than boys, and older adolescents were more likely to engage in AST.