Comenius ProjektComenius Projekt

Problem formulation:Problem formulation: Why do many young people aged 15-18 live Why do many young people aged 15-18 live

unhealthily, when they know that it can have unhealthily, when they know that it can have consequences for their health?consequences for their health?

The areas included in the study are: Physical The areas included in the study are: Physical activity, smoking, alcohol habits, dietary activity, smoking, alcohol habits, dietary intake and diets.intake and diets.

Definition of what it means to live Definition of what it means to live healthy in relation to physical activity, healthy in relation to physical activity, drinking habits, smoking habits eating drinking habits, smoking habits eating consumption and eating habits in the consumption and eating habits in the ages 15-18:ages 15-18:

Alcohol consumption: Drinking habitsAlcohol consumption: Drinking habits

Definition of healthy drinking habits:Definition of healthy drinking habits: The recommended maximum intake of alcohol for women is max of 14 units a week. The recommended maximum intake of alcohol for women is max of 14 units a week. The recommended maximum intake of alcohol for men is max of 21 units a week. The recommended maximum intake of alcohol for men is max of 21 units a week. The recommended maximum intake of alcohol in one sitting is 5 units The recommended maximum intake of alcohol in one sitting is 5 units Children/teens under 16 years of age are not recommended to drink.Children/teens under 16 years of age are not recommended to drink.

What impact does abuse of alcohol have yourWhat impact does abuse of alcohol have yourpersonal health?personal health? PhysicalPhysical as well as mental consequences. as well as mental consequences. Reduced concentration:Reduced concentration: Reduced ability to evaluate different risks, fatigue, unwanted sex and verbal and physical Reduced ability to evaluate different risks, fatigue, unwanted sex and verbal and physical

fights, but also the more frequent consequence such as a hangover.fights, but also the more frequent consequence such as a hangover. A bad image and it may also lead to drunk driving, reduced performance at work or in school. A bad image and it may also lead to drunk driving, reduced performance at work or in school. On top of that other consequences can be serious diseases. Alcohol can induce cancer and it On top of that other consequences can be serious diseases. Alcohol can induce cancer and it

results in a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.results in a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases.

PhysicalPhysical activity: Exercise activity: Exercise

Definitions of healthy exercise habits:Definitions of healthy exercise habits: When you are under 18 years old, it is recommended that you do – When you are under 18 years old, it is recommended that you do –

exercises 60 minuts a day. exercises 60 minuts a day. Any kind of physically activity count.Any kind of physically activity count.

What impact does lack of regular exercise haveWhat impact does lack of regular exercise haveon personal health?on personal health? Overweight.Overweight. Low self esteemLow self esteem Cardiovascular diseaseCardiovascular disease Diabetes 2Diabetes 2 ArteriosclerosisArteriosclerosis

Smoking habitsSmoking habits

Definition of how to live healthy in terms of smoking:Definition of how to live healthy in terms of smoking: To be healthy, don’t smoke.To be healthy, don’t smoke.

What impact does smoking have your personal health?What impact does smoking have your personal health?

Cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood Cardiovascular disease (diseases of the heart and blood vessels)vessels)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (narrowing Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (narrowing airways resulting in almost irreversible shortness of airways resulting in almost irreversible shortness of breath)breath)

Lung cancerLung cancer Generally a reduced quality of lifeGenerally a reduced quality of life

Food consumption: Eating habitsFood consumption: Eating habits

Definition of healthy eating habits: Definition of healthy eating habits: 600 g. of fruits and vegetables a day600 g. of fruits and vegetables a day At least 75 g. of whole wheat bread a day, especially from varied products (pasta, At least 75 g. of whole wheat bread a day, especially from varied products (pasta,

potatoes, rice and grain)potatoes, rice and grain) A maximum of 10 % of consumed carbohydrates can be sugar A maximum of 10 % of consumed carbohydrates can be sugar 200-300g. of fish a week, varying between lean and fat fish.200-300g. of fish a week, varying between lean and fat fish. Fast food has to be eaten in limited amounts and not too often. Fast food has to be eaten in limited amounts and not too often.

What impact does unhealthy eatingWhat impact does unhealthy eatinghabits have on your personal health?habits have on your personal health? The ability to learn deteriorates and you become fatigued and lethargic The ability to learn deteriorates and you become fatigued and lethargic Increased risk of cancer, arteriolosclerosis and blood clots in the heartIncreased risk of cancer, arteriolosclerosis and blood clots in the heart Overweight and lifestyle diseases (Diabetes 2 and cardiovascular disease)Overweight and lifestyle diseases (Diabetes 2 and cardiovascular disease) Holes Cavities in the teeth (bad teeth)Holes Cavities in the teeth (bad teeth)

Healthy eating habitsHealthy eating habits

Definition of healthy eating habits forDefinition of healthy eating habits forYoung peopleYoung people There has to be 3 big meals i.e. breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In There has to be 3 big meals i.e. breakfast, lunch, and dinner. In

addition there has to be 2-3 small meals consisting of fruits addition there has to be 2-3 small meals consisting of fruits and snacks. Regular small meals are recommended to avoid and snacks. Regular small meals are recommended to avoid unhealthy snacks. unhealthy snacks.

What impact do bad eating habits have on your personalWhat impact do bad eating habits have on your personalhealth?health? You lose the ability to concentrate and reduce your learning You lose the ability to concentrate and reduce your learning

abilityability Your risk of getting and developing obesity increasesYour risk of getting and developing obesity increases Your risk of getting cardiovascular diseases increasesYour risk of getting cardiovascular diseases increases You feel unwell and might feel depressed.You feel unwell and might feel depressed.

Do the young people in the Comenius Do the young people in the Comenius study live unhealthy according to the study live unhealthy according to the definitions?definitions?

AlcoholAlcohol According to the definition of healthy drinking habits we are able to see that According to the definition of healthy drinking habits we are able to see that

only England and Denmark are the ones that have an intake above the women’s only England and Denmark are the ones that have an intake above the women’s maximum alcohol limit which is 14 units a week. maximum alcohol limit which is 14 units a week.

Denmark is the leading country in alcohol drinking between 8 and 14 units Denmark is the leading country in alcohol drinking between 8 and 14 units followed by England on a second place. Spain and the Czech Republic are the followed by England on a second place. Spain and the Czech Republic are the healthiest according to alcohol.healthiest according to alcohol.

Regarding smoking, the English smoke the least, followed by the Czechs and Regarding smoking, the English smoke the least, followed by the Czechs and the Danes. The Spaniards smoke the most. The English are therefore the the Danes. The Spaniards smoke the most. The English are therefore the healthiest and the Spaniards the unhealthiest.healthiest and the Spaniards the unhealthiest.

Smoking

According to the definition, no one is healthy, and all of them are unhealthy.According to the definition, no one is healthy, and all of them are unhealthy. Czech Republic is the healthiest of the unhealthiest countries. Czech Republic is the healthiest of the unhealthiest countries. And the Spanish students are the unhealthiest of the unhealthiest countries.And the Spanish students are the unhealthiest of the unhealthiest countries.

Excercise

Food consumptionFood consumption According to the definition about food intake no one from Spain, Czech, According to the definition about food intake no one from Spain, Czech,

England and Denmark lives up to our definition about healthy food in-take.England and Denmark lives up to our definition about healthy food in-take. When it comes to food intake most Danes eat fruit and vegetables daily, When it comes to food intake most Danes eat fruit and vegetables daily,

whereas they seldom eat fastfood (compared to the other countries). whereas they seldom eat fastfood (compared to the other countries). After Danes, Czechs eat most fruit and then the English, who also eat only a After Danes, Czechs eat most fruit and then the English, who also eat only a

little fast food. little fast food. The Spanish eat the less fruit and vegetables, while the Czechs most often eat The Spanish eat the less fruit and vegetables, while the Czechs most often eat

fastfood, but at the same time it the Spanish, who eat chips and crisp the most. fastfood, but at the same time it the Spanish, who eat chips and crisp the most. The Spanish most often eat fish, and number 2 and 3 are the Danes and the The Spanish most often eat fish, and number 2 and 3 are the Danes and the

English, and at last the Czechs. So as far as food intake is concerned it seems English, and at last the Czechs. So as far as food intake is concerned it seems that the Danes are the healthiest.that the Danes are the healthiest.

Eating HabitsEating Habits Denmark and Czech Republic are the countries who eat the Denmark and Czech Republic are the countries who eat the

most breakfast. Surprising is that only approx. half of the most breakfast. Surprising is that only approx. half of the English and Spanish students eat breakfast everyday. Only English and Spanish students eat breakfast everyday. Only very few rarely eat breakfast. very few rarely eat breakfast. 

Denmark and Czech Republic eat hot food every day. Denmark and Czech Republic eat hot food every day. Striking is that in England and Spain less than half eats hot Striking is that in England and Spain less than half eats hot food everyday.food everyday.

Denmark is the only country that eats a proper meal every Denmark is the only country that eats a proper meal every day. Prominent is that less than half of the Czech Republic day. Prominent is that less than half of the Czech Republic does not eat a decent meal every day. In England and Spain is does not eat a decent meal every day. In England and Spain is it approx. half that eats a proper meal every day.it approx. half that eats a proper meal every day.

Why is the physical activity, alcohol Why is the physical activity, alcohol consumption, food consumption, food consumption, food consumption, food habits and smoking habits as it is in the habits and smoking habits as it is in the countries concerned?countries concerned?

Why is food consumption as it is in the concerned Why is food consumption as it is in the concerned countries?countries?

We have had correspondence with 6 young people from the We have had correspondence with 6 young people from the Comenius groupComenius group

All six know about healthy eating.All six know about healthy eating. Eating is often bound by traditions.Eating is often bound by traditions. in general they eat healthy food, but not always becausein general they eat healthy food, but not always because Fast food is easier to get hold of than to cook a proper meal, Fast food is easier to get hold of than to cook a proper meal, in towns or cities there is easy access to fast food as opposed to the in towns or cities there is easy access to fast food as opposed to the

countryside.countryside. young people prefer to eat whatever they like or believe to be right - young people prefer to eat whatever they like or believe to be right -

not what they are told to eat.not what they are told to eat.

Why is the level of physical activity as it is in the Why is the level of physical activity as it is in the countries in question?countries in question?

In all the countries people don’t feel they have the time to do a lot of physical In all the countries people don’t feel they have the time to do a lot of physical activities.activities.

Because many take the bus to schoolBecause many take the bus to school

Not everyone knows how important it is to do physical activitiesNot everyone knows how important it is to do physical activities

Why is smoking as it is in the concerned countries?Why is smoking as it is in the concerned countries?

Most of the Spaniards smoke daily – this can be attributed to:Most of the Spaniards smoke daily – this can be attributed to: Popular to smoke at parties Popular to smoke at parties It isn't forbidden to smoke in as many places as it is in Denmark or It isn't forbidden to smoke in as many places as it is in Denmark or

England. England. The cost is between 2,5 € and 3,5 € The cost is between 2,5 € and 3,5 € Many buy cigarettes even though they aren’t 18Many buy cigarettes even though they aren’t 18

The Danes are second in terms of smoking The Danes are second in terms of smoking There is not enough supervision when it comes to how old buyers of There is not enough supervision when it comes to how old buyers of

cigarettes are cigarettes are

The Czechs smoke a lot less than the Danes. The Czechs smoke a lot less than the Danes. It is illegal to smoke at bus stopsIt is illegal to smoke at bus stops

The English smoke the least. The English smoke the least. Smoking is very expensive (£5) Smoking is very expensive (£5) a lot of supervision in England a lot of supervision in England fake ID fake ID

The Danish Youngster’s food habits.The Danish Youngster’s food habits.

The Danish youngsters have bad food habits.The Danish youngsters have bad food habits. They often skip a meal or two.They often skip a meal or two. Among other things, that is because:Among other things, that is because: Fast food is very easy, quick and informalFast food is very easy, quick and informal Career parents’ lifestyle makes young people lose their Career parents’ lifestyle makes young people lose their

incentive to eat properly.incentive to eat properly. Young people don’t care for lunchboxes or packed lunches. Young people don’t care for lunchboxes or packed lunches. Cooking and eating easily gets uninteresting when you are Cooking and eating easily gets uninteresting when you are

single and live alone.single and live alone. A lot of young people lack the social intercourse with eating, A lot of young people lack the social intercourse with eating,

since they don’t eat together with their family. since they don’t eat together with their family. A lot of young people never really learnt to cook themselves, A lot of young people never really learnt to cook themselves,

and as a result never try to learn either.and as a result never try to learn either.

Alcohol habits Alcohol habits The reason for alcohol habits in DenmarkThe reason for alcohol habits in DenmarkThe reason can be:The reason can be:   The parents’ alcohol habitsThe parents’ alcohol habits   The relationship between children and parentsThe relationship between children and parents   Low self-worthLow self-worth   The school (peer pressure) The school (peer pressure)    Conclusion of mails: age limit – 18 yearsConclusion of mails: age limit – 18 years

Is there something to be done to get all young Is there something to be done to get all young people to live healthy in terms of physical people to live healthy in terms of physical activity, alcohol habits, Smoking habits, eating activity, alcohol habits, Smoking habits, eating consumption and eating habits? consumption and eating habits?

In that case who must do what?In that case who must do what?

Possible solutions of food consumption Possible solutions of food consumption problemsproblems? ?

The Danish parliament:The Danish parliament: Reduce prices on the healthy foods and increase prices on unhealthy food.Reduce prices on the healthy foods and increase prices on unhealthy food. Abolish the VAT on healthy food and instead raise the VAT on unhealthy food. Abolish the VAT on healthy food and instead raise the VAT on unhealthy food. introduce a new Education Act in which no junk food at schools is allowed. More money should be introduce a new Education Act in which no junk food at schools is allowed. More money should be

spent on free healthy food in schools. spent on free healthy food in schools. substitute the vending machines with healthy snacks from the school canteen. substitute the vending machines with healthy snacks from the school canteen. Make a law in which the grocers are not allowed to advertise unhealthy food, especially sweets, Make a law in which the grocers are not allowed to advertise unhealthy food, especially sweets,

crisps, chocolate and cake next to the check-out desk. crisps, chocolate and cake next to the check-out desk.

The public institutions (High schools and education centres):The public institutions (High schools and education centres): More sports activities after school (dance, basket ball, cheerleading, soccer and gymnastic).More sports activities after school (dance, basket ball, cheerleading, soccer and gymnastic). Compulsory sports or PE for all pupils in school every day as extra modules (lessons) in the Compulsory sports or PE for all pupils in school every day as extra modules (lessons) in the

timetabletimetable..

What can you do? What can you do? Replace candy with fruit and healthy snack(nuts and healthy biscuits) Replace candy with fruit and healthy snack(nuts and healthy biscuits) You do some more exercise; it will keep the motivation to eat healthier. You do some more exercise; it will keep the motivation to eat healthier. Get more involved in your health e.g. read food guidance. Get more involved in your health e.g. read food guidance.

Possible solutions of alcohol problemsPossible solutions of alcohol problems

Alcohol buying limit at the age of 18Alcohol buying limit at the age of 18 Current rules on tax free shopping inside the Current rules on tax free shopping inside the

EUEU Current control rules outside the EUCurrent control rules outside the EU More scare campaigns like the ones we More scare campaigns like the ones we

already have about smoking. already have about smoking. More information to parents to make them More information to parents to make them

better role modelsbetter role models..

Possible solutions of physical activity Possible solutions of physical activity problemsproblems

The media have to make campaigns on TV about The media have to make campaigns on TV about what too little physical activity can result in.what too little physical activity can result in.

The government has to introduce compulsorily The government has to introduce compulsorily physical education to all students at all educational physical education to all students at all educational levelslevels

Motivation means everything; parents have to be Motivation means everything; parents have to be good role modelsgood role models..

What can be done to solve smoking What can be done to solve smoking problemsproblems

Encourage each other not to smokeEncourage each other not to smoke Make smoking unpopularMake smoking unpopular Search through pockets looking for cigarettesSearch through pockets looking for cigarettes Show interest in the health of their childrenShow interest in the health of their children Explain about smoking (consequences, reduced lifespan)Explain about smoking (consequences, reduced lifespan) Inform the young people about the consequences of smokingInform the young people about the consequences of smoking Make presentations about smokingMake presentations about smoking Tighten the laws regarding smokingTighten the laws regarding smoking Raise the price of cigarettesRaise the price of cigarettes Raise the minimum age needed to buy cigarettes, e.g. 21 yearsRaise the minimum age needed to buy cigarettes, e.g. 21 years Additional scaremongeringAdditional scaremongering Courses that encourage smoke-stopCourses that encourage smoke-stop..

Possible solutions of eating habit Possible solutions of eating habit problemsproblems

Friends and family have to be supportiveFriends and family have to be supportive Healthy, Cooking instead of grabbing and eating Healthy, Cooking instead of grabbing and eating

fast-foodfast-food Making the lunch look more appealing, and Making the lunch look more appealing, and

having fun by doing ithaving fun by doing it Eating more small healthy meals or snacks during Eating more small healthy meals or snacks during

the day. the day. Free water and fruits ought to be available at Free water and fruits ought to be available at

schoolsschools The government could provide more informationThe government could provide more information

ConclusionConclusion

Why do many young people aged 15-18 live unhealthily, when they Why do many young people aged 15-18 live unhealthily, when they know that it can have consequences for their health? know that it can have consequences for their health?

  

Physical:Physical: About half of the students don’t have a healthy lifestyle according to the definition mostly because they About half of the students don’t have a healthy lifestyle according to the definition mostly because they

don’t have the time.don’t have the time. They don’t know how important it is to do physical activities.They don’t know how important it is to do physical activities.

Smoking:Smoking: About 30% of the students smoke- For example because it’s popular to smoke at parties About 30% of the students smoke- For example because it’s popular to smoke at parties

Alcohol habits:Alcohol habits: In England and Denmark there are students who drink too much alcohol according to the definition.In England and Denmark there are students who drink too much alcohol according to the definition. In Denmark students drink because of their parents’ drinking habits.In Denmark students drink because of their parents’ drinking habits.

Food consumption:Food consumption: Between 17-34% of the students eat fast food once or a twice a week and some every day.Between 17-34% of the students eat fast food once or a twice a week and some every day.

The reasons are:The reasons are: Fast food is easy to get hold of.Fast food is easy to get hold of. Young people eat what ever they like the most. Young people eat what ever they like the most.

Eating habits:Eating habits: Between 24-51% don’t eat breakfast every day.Between 24-51% don’t eat breakfast every day. Between 20-53% eat a hot meal every day.Between 20-53% eat a hot meal every day. The easy accessible fast food makes people skip their regular meals. The easy accessible fast food makes people skip their regular meals.