Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study 2018

The Health Behaviours in School-aged Children (HBSC) 2018 Study is an international study.

The Irish part, commissioned by the Department of Health and carried out by the Health Promotion Research Centre at NUI Galway, shows many positive trends in health behaviours in children, as well highlighting some areas of concern.

• increase in the number of children reporting never having had an alcoholic drink
• majority of children who had alcohol sourced it from a parent or home
• 5% drop in the number of children trying smoking, but 22% of 12-17 year olds have tried e-cigarettes
• consumption of sweets and sugar-sweetened drinks each down by 6%
• 5% increase in children reporting being bullied (more likely in real-life than online)
• reduction in numbers of 15-17 year olds reporting ever having had sexual intercourse, but contraceptive use also down
• slight drop in life satisfaction and happiness; girls significantly less happy