Nutrition and physical activity are at the heart of a healthy lifestyle, and are associated with health outcomes during childhood and adulthood. A healthy diet and regular physical activity can reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Global recommendations for children and adolescents include daily intake of fruit and vegetables (with quantity varying by age, such as at least 400 grammes for those aged 10 and over), and engaging in at least one hour of moderate‑to-vigorous physical activity each day as well as vigorous and strengthening activities at least three days a week (WHO, 2023[1]; WHO, 2020[2]).
On average across OECD countries, the proportion of adolescents reporting at least one hour of moderate‑to-vigorous physical activity daily has remained globally unchanged since 2014, with only 15% of 15‑year‑olds meeting these daily guidelines (Figure 4.17). During this period, the proportions of adolescents achieving physical activity recommendations have increased in seven OECD countries and declined (by over 3 p.p.) in four OECD countries. In 2022, over 20% of adolescents met the recommended levels of physical activity in Canada, Finland and Hungary, compared to less than 10% in Italy and Israel.
An overview of physical activity trends among adolescents aged 11, 13 and 15, reveals persistent disparities between girls and boys across all age groups and over time. The proportion of boys achieving physical activity recommendations is 1.6 times higher than that of girls on average across all three periods.
Eating habits have generally improved over time. On average across OECD countries, the share of adolescents who do not eat vegetables daily decreased from 68% to 64% between 2014 and 2022 (Figure 4.18). More than half of OECD countries reported a decline (by over 3 p.p.) in not consuming vegetables over this period; however, in half of OECD countries, more than two‑thirds of adolescents still do not eat vegetables daily.
Prevalence rates of daily consumption of SSBs among adolescents have decreased over time in 22 out of 28 OECD countries. Countries including the Netherlands, Poland and Spain exhibit the largest decreases. In 2022, 13% of adolescents reported daily consumption of SSBs, compared to 18% in 2014 on average across OECD countries (Figure 4.19). However, prevalence rates have increased in a few countries – notably in Finland, where the proportion of adolescents consuming SSBs daily has doubled since 2014, while remaining among the lowest across OECD countries.
To address unhealthy lifestyles, OECD countries have implemented a range of policy interventions focussed on improving health information and education, increasing healthier choices, and restricting the promotion of unhealthy choice options. In 2019, a vast majority of OECD countries had a school-based programme in place to educate children on nutrition and/or physical activity, and 24 OECD countries had set mandatory nutrition guidelines for food providers in schools (OECD, 2019[3]). Enabling healthier lifestyles for children and adolescents requires a multi-setting approach that extends beyond schools, to include local communities and public spaces. For example, the Netherlands introduced the National Jongeren op Gezond Gewicht (JOGG) initiative in 2010 – a multisectoral, community-based strategy aimed at creating healthier environments for children and adolescents. Evaluations show that JOGG can effectively improve children’s health behaviours and contribute to reducing overweight and obesity rates (OECD, 2022[4]). Several countries have taken steps to limit children’s and adolescents’ exposure to unhealthy food marketing. Recently, the United Kingdom introduced legislation to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, sugar and salt on television during certain hours of the day as well as online. This measure aims to improve children’s diet and help prevent diet-related chronic conditions, such as obesity.
