SYDNEY, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Nearly one in two Australian teenagers is living with a chronic disease or developmental condition, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or autism, said a new study.
The study was published online on Tuesday in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, the official journal of the Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA). As the first of its kind in Australia, it surveyed over 5,000 adolescents, linking these conditions to poor lifestyle habits, unhealthy diets, and mental health issues.
Lead author Bridie Osman from the University of Sydney's Matilda Center described the findings as a wake-up call to prioritize the health of young people.
"They can hinder a teenager's ability to attend school or sports and can have social and developmental implications," Osman said, adding some may also contribute to long-term health complications.
The most common chronic illnesses identified were hay fever, about 23 percent, and asthma, about 15 percent, while ADHD was the most prevalent developmental condition, affecting 9 percent of participants, said the study.
The study found that teenagers, who consumed more ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and alcohol, spent excessive time on screens, or experienced mental health issues, were more likely to have at least one chronic or developmental condition.
Notably, boys with mental health challenges faced a higher risk of chronic disease compared to girls with similar conditions, it said.
Although the study did not demonstrate that diseases and conditions were caused by unhealthy lifestyles, Osman highlighted the strong associations between unhealthy behaviors and health conditions, calling for further long-term research.
"What we do know is that all teenagers' immune health will benefit from healthy diets, exercise, sleep, reducing screen time and good mental health," he said.
Terry Slevin, CEO of the PHAA, stressed the importance of addressing diet-related health risks, saying obesity has overtaken tobacco as the leading cause of preventable disease in Australia, calling for restricting junk food advertising and mandating health star ratings on packaged foods to improve adolescent well-being. ■