Adolescence is a fundamental transitional phase in human development as it represents a change from childhood to physical, psychological, and social maturity. During this period, adolescents learn and develop knowledge and skills to deal with critical aspects of their health and development while their bodies mature. It is also a time when behavioural factors that may pose risks to future health become consolidated. Obesogenic environments, sociocultural influences and overexposure to harmful digital media have contributed to rising rates of overweight and obesity in LAC countries (UNICEF, 2025[1]). At the same time, although alcohol use is more prevalent among adults, adolescents may engage in riskier patterns such as binge drinking, sometimes higher rates than adults (Esposito et al., 2025[2]). Adolescent girls, especially early adolescents, are particularly vulnerable because they are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of pregnancy and delivery, as their bodies may not be physically prepared (UNICEF, 2024[3]).
Risk factors for NCDs, the leading cause of premature adult deaths, are often acquired in adolescence. Overweight and obesity are one these key risk factors. In LAC, obesity prevalence among adolescence is 15.1% for females, and 15.8% for males, both well above the OECD averages of 8.2% and 11.2%, respectively, in 2022 (Figure 4.7). Countries such as Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda and Barbados exhibit obesity prevalence rates above 22% among females, while for males the highest rates, also above 22%, are observed in Chile, Trinidad and Tobago and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Guatemala is the only country in LAC where both male and female adolescent obesity prevalence rates are lower than the corresponding OECD averages. Interestingly, in Haiti, the prevalence of obesity is more than eight times higher in males (17.76%) than in females (2.11%).
In addition, alcohol and tobacco use are other important issues affecting adolescents in the region. Data for current tobacco smoking is from 2024, while the latest available data on heavy episodic drinking latest available data are from 2019 (Figure 4.8). The LAC average prevalence of current tobacco smoking is 9.8% in 2024 and the prevalence for binge drinking reaches 18% in 2019, both below the corresponding OECD averages for the same years (12.2% and 30.9%, respectively). Argentina, Mexico and Guatemala show the highest prevalence rates of current tobacco smoking (above 15%) among adolescents aged 13 to 15. For binge drinking, Peru, Chile and Argentina have the highest rates, all above 28%, with Peru being the only country above the OECD average, at 33.8%.
Another key issue for adolescents worldwide is the high prevalence of pregnancies during adolescence. LAC was the region with the second highest adolescence birth rates in 2022, with particularly high rates among girls with lower levels of educational attainment. In 18 LAC countries, the average adolescent birth rate is 38 births per 1 000 adolescent women aged 15 to 19, which is almost five times the rate observed in OECD countries, that stand in 8 births per 1 000 (Figure 4.9). Notably, all LAC countries except Chile, are situated above the OECD average. The highest adolescent birth rate is found in Nicaragua with 71 births per 1 000 adolescent women, followed by Guatemala with 58 births. In contrast, Chile with 6 births, followed well behind by Argentina, Uruguay and Costa Rica with 23, have the lowest adolescent birth rates in the region.
