Most young people rate their health as good

In the period 2019-2020, 92 percent of the group aged 4 to 24 years assessed their own health as good or very good. Compared to previous years, this share is virtually the same. However, some differences are observed within this group according to age.

As for children up to age 12, the question about their overall health status is answered by one of the parents or caretakers. In the category 4 to 11 years, 97 percent had a good or very good self-perceived health; in the category 12 to 17 years, this was slightly less at 91 percent. Among young adults (18 to 24 years), the share perceiving their health as (very) good stood at 88 percent.

Slightly more overweight in age group 4 to 24 years

Eighteen percent of 4 to 24-year-olds were overweight in 2019-2020. This is slightly more than in previous years. In 2015-2016 and 2017-2018, this was 16 percent. The young adult group has the highest prevalence of overweight (25 percent).

Overweight young people less positive about their own health

For children up to the age of 12, there is no significant difference in health perception between those who are overweight and those who are not. Overweight young people aged 12 and up are less positive about their health than their peers without overweight.

Of the young people 12 to 17 years without overweight, a share of 93 percent perceives their own health as (very) good. This share is 83 percent among their overweight peers. Among young adults as well, those without overweight are more likely to rate their own health as (very) good (90 percent) than those who are overweight (84 percent).