(Commonwealth_Europe) A recent EU health report has highlighted concerning trends in the mental and physical well-being of Cypriot teenagers. The findings reveal that Cypriot adolescents scored 57 out of 100 on mental well-being indicators, suggesting that their overall mental health is below optimal levels. The report also found troubling statistics on health complaints, with more than half of the girls and a significant portion of boys reporting frequent health issues. Specifically, 53% of girls and 34% of boys reported experiencing multiple health complaints more than once per week, a troubling sign of the strain many young people are under.
When it comes to nutrition, the situation is equally concerning. The report indicates that more than half of Cypriot children do not consume any fruits or vegetables daily, with only a small percentage meeting the recommended daily intake level. Only 9% of girls were found to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) physical activity guidelines, further highlighting the challenges in promoting healthy habits among youth. Physical activity levels also showed significant gender disparities. While 23% of 15-year-old boys were meeting the WHO’s guidelines for physical activity, only 9% of girls managed to do so, revealing a stark contrast in exercise habits between the genders.
Obesity and overweight rates also remain a concern. The report classified 25% of Cypriot children as overweight or obese, with boys exhibiting higher rates than girls. Specifically, the report found that 30% of boys and 20% of girls were overweight or obese. These figures reflect worrying trends in childhood obesity, which can have long-term consequences for health.
In terms of substance use, however, Cypriot youth reported lower-than-average rates compared to their EU counterparts. Cypriot youth reported smoking, alcohol consumption, and cannabis use at rates below the EU average. Cypriot youth recorded smoking at 11%, significantly lower than the EU average of 17%, and cannabis use at 4%, compared to the EU average of 7%. These figures suggest that, despite the other concerning trends, Cypriot teenagers may be making healthier choices when it comes to substance use.
A report noted that some of these patterns may reflect the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The unique stresses of the pandemic period may exacerbate these health issues, especially with restrictions still in place and the world adjusting to the aftermath of strict lockdowns. Therefore, factors such as disrupted routines, social isolation, and the broader mental health impacts of the pandemic may influence the data collected in 2022.
Overall, the EU health report sheds light on multiple challenges facing Cypriot youth, from mental health issues to poor diet and physical activity levels. While there are areas where Cyprus performs better than the EU average, such as substance use, the overall picture painted by the report is one of a generation struggling with significant health concerns. These findings call for increased attention to mental health support, better nutrition, and the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits among the youth of Cyprus, particularly as they continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
