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Top teen concerns are losing weight and fitting in

Today’s teens are most worried about losing weight and fitting in. But more teenagers from low income families worry about bullying, drugs, and smoking compared to peers from high income families. Surveys for NHS Teen LifeCheck published today reveal social similarities and divides on some of the top teenage concerns.

Of the teenagers surveyed, almost double the number of teens from low income families worried about bullying. However, teens from higher income families are more likely to worry about peer pressure and fitting in.

Further research also shows that almost half of teens don’t feel they can talk to their friends about their worries because they think they’ll be considered silly or different, and nearly a third feel that their friends just wouldn’t understand.

The research was undertaken for the NHS Teen LifeCheck website on behalf of the Department of Health. This online service  is aimed at teens with the highest risk of future ill health caused by their lifestyle choices. The website encourages them to complete its quiz and act on the results, and signposts people to support for issues like bullying.

In just three months, Teen LifeCheck is already having a considerable impact.  More than 100,000 teenagers have completed a LifeCheck, getting advice on topics like bullying and smoking as well as drugs, alcohol, personal safety, healthy eating and exercise.  Today’s survey will inform the ongoing development of the site so it is up to date and meaningful to teenagers.

• Full story and research results (opens new window)
• Teen LifeCheck (opens new window)