title: Health and well-being of secondary school students in New Zealand: trends between 2001, 2007 and 2012.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe indicators of health and well-being for New Zealand secondary school students; explore changes between 2001, 2007 and 2012; and compare these findings to international estimates.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three national health and well-being surveys of randomly selected New Zealand secondary school students were conducted. Data are presented as prevalence and variation over time (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)). Comparisons with international estimates were made with subsets of the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between 2001 and 2012, students reported reductions in cigarette use (aOR 0.27, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.32), alcohol use (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33-0.46), marijuana use (aOR 0.37, 95% CI 0.31-0.43), sexual abuse (aOR 0.52, 95% CI 0.46-0.58), fighting (aOR 0.63, 95% CI 0.55-0.73), seatbelt use (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.31-1.65) and risky driving behaviours (aOR 0.39, 95% CI 0.33-0.45). Positive connections to school (perception that the school cares, aOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.10-1.35; liking school, aOR 1.55, 95% CI 1.33-1.82) and family (good family relationship, aOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.70-1.97) also improved. Indicators that did not improve and compared poorly with international estimates were protected sex (condom use at last sexual intercourse, aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.68-0.87) and healthy life-style (daily physical activity, aOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.78-0.99; overweight/obese, aOR 1.09, 95% CI 0.92-1.31). Exposure to family violence (aOR 1.37, 95% CI 1.11-1.68) and depressive symptoms (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91-1.17) also did not improve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There have been important improvements in the health and well-being of New Zealand adolescents over a relatively short period. These findings demonstrate that population rates of adolescent risk behaviours are amenable to change. Current policy efforts should not lose momentum, while identified priority areas must be adequately resourced to ensure young people have opportunities to thrive now and in the future.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Terryann
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.|Department of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Theresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fleming
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Pat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bullen
authors.affiliation: Te Kupenga Hauora Māori, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Crengle
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Denny
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Education, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dyson
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Roshini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Peiris-John
authors.affiliation: Auckland UniServices Limited, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Social and Community Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossen
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addiction Research and School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Janie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sheridan
authors.affiliation: Pacific Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Tasileta
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Teevale
authors.affiliation: Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Utter
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewycka
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D002648:Child; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D060728:Reproductive Health; D012309:Risk-Taking
keywords: adolescent behaviour; binge drinking; mental health; reproductive health; risk taking; self-report