RIYADH: A recent study points to the prevalence of a number of poor health behaviors among adolescents and teens in schools throughout the Kingdom, which may pose serious threats to their health, and possibly death if not attended to.

Some 12,000 teenagers from across the Kingdom were surveyed for the study, with questions covering 12 broad health-related topics, including family status, school situation, meal behaviors, road safety, smoking, bullying, mental illness, as well as available medical health services. Blood samples and clinical measurements also provided information about health problems, such as chronic illnesses and obesity.

According to the study, conducted by a medical team led by Dr. Faida bin Saleh Al-Bahairan, head of the adolescent medicine research program at King Abdullah International Medical Research Center in Riyadh, prominent issues among teens include poor nutrition and consumption of soft drinks and energy drinks causing excessive weight gain and obesity among 30 percent of respondents, as well as smoking among 16 percent of respondents.

Out of 12,000 teens surveyed, 95.6 percent suffered from lack of vitamin D, while only 13.8 percent always wore seat belts in their vehicles and 17.9 percent took their vehicles without their father’s permission.

The study also shows that 20.8 percent of teenagers have been subject to physical violence in schools, 25 percent have been bullied, 10.5 percent have smoked hookahs, 16.2 percent have inhaled volatile substances such as glue, gasoline, or other materials, and 24 percent have faced difficulty in getting health care when needed.

In a statement to SPA, Al-Bahairan revealed that common assumptions that groups between the ages of 10 and 19 in general enjoy good and stable health is not true, noting that earlier studies reveal 70 percent of early deaths among adults occur as a result of harmful health behaviors during adolescence.

She said the Kingdom established a clinic specializing in health care for adolescents in 2008 at King Abdulaziz Medical City at the health affairs of the Ministry of the National Guard in Riyadh, the first of its kind in the Arab world. The clinic provides health care for matters related to physical, mental and social issues among teens.

“This study, ‘Our Generation,’ is a comprehensive national study of the health of teens and their health behaviors, and its findings have been carefully studied to identify key health indicators,” said Al-Bahairan. “This study points to the great importance of putting in place policies, programs and health services focusing on youths, and working on improving their health conditions as they represent a third of Saudi society."