A new UNICEF report highlights alarming trends in adolescent well-being across 43 OECD and EU countries, revealing that one in six young people aged 10 to 19 is living with a diagnosable mental health disorder. The findings come from the latest UNICEF Innocenti Report Card 19, which also shows declines in life satisfaction, rising obesity rates, and deteriorating academic skills among teenagers over the past five years, according to a correspondent from Kazinform News Agency.
The report attributes these challenges to a “polycrisis”—a complex mix of global factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, armed conflicts, climate change, rapid digital transformation, and demographic shifts—that have reshaped childhood experiences in high-income nations.
Mental Health Concerns Deepen
Mental health is a growing concern, with significant declines in life satisfaction reported among 15-year-olds in nearly all surveyed countries. In nations such as Mexico, Poland, Chile, and Turkey, satisfaction rates have dropped by more than 10 percentage points in just five years, disproportionately affecting girls more than boys.
While social media often comes under scrutiny, UNICEF researchers emphasize that the nature of online interactions—particularly exposure to idealized images and discriminatory content—is more impactful on mental health than the amount of screen time alone.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
The pandemic marked a critical turning point for young people worldwide. Prolonged school closures—ranging from several months to over a year—disrupted education and social interactions. These interruptions continue to have lingering effects on children’s psychological health and academic performance, especially in countries with stricter lockdown measures.
Rising Physical Health Challenges
Childhood obesity remains a pressing issue. Since 1990, the prevalence of overweight children in OECD and EU countries has surged from 17% to 28%, with the United States and Chile experiencing some of the highest rates. Between 2018 and 2022, obesity levels continued to climb in roughly one-third of the countries studied, with only Italy and Portugal reporting notable declines.
UNICEF experts highlight that the rise in obesity is driven not only by reduced physical activity but also by dietary changes, aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods, urban living conditions, and increased parental work demands—factors collectively contributing to an unhealthy “food environment” for children.
Environmental Risks on the Rise
The report also draws attention to growing environmental health threats. Microplastics and synthetic chemicals found in food, water, and air pose particular risks to infants and adolescents. Teenagers are especially vulnerable to microplastic pollution linked to fast fashion, as synthetic clothing releases microplastics during washing.
Calls for Comprehensive Solutions
To address these multifaceted challenges, UNICEF calls for coordinated action spanning families, schools, communities, and government policy. Key recommendations include:
- Enhancing social and emotional learning in schools
- Improving access to nutritious food
- Ensuring safe and healthy environmental conditions
- Fostering supportive and sustainable relationships within families and communities
