Great differences in health behaviour among high school students

The school health authority in the municipality of Kramfors performs an annual questionnaire among first-year high school students, which concerns their perceptions about health, wellbeing and the use of alcohol and tobacco. This study covers the period 1995-2000. Psychosomatic complaints and depressive feelings were twice as common among girls. A higher rate of girls and boys in preparatory practical programs were regular users of tobacco and alcohol, were not having breakfast regularly and were practising physical training more seldom compared to girls and boys in more theoretical programs. Bullying was more frequent among boys, especially those from practical programs. In consequence, the school health institutions should emphasise support for exposed groups. A local questionnaire can be a useful tool for identifying such groups and for monitoring health behaviour and health experiences among students as a whole.