HBSC

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children

Principal Investigator: Oddrun Samdal

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) is a cross-national research study conducted in collaboration with the WHO Regional Office for Europe. The study aims to gain new insight into, and increase our understanding of young people's health and well-being, health behaviours and their social context. HBSC was initiated in 1982 by researchers from three countries, and Norway was one of them. There are now 41 participating countries and regions.

The Research Centre for Health Promotion at the University of Bergen is responsible for the Norwegian study. Since 1983 data have been collected every four years among 11, 13 and 15 year olds and since 1994 also among 16 year olds. The most recent survey was conducted in 2005 and addressed adolescents' health behaviours, health perceptions, leisure time activities and school perceptions. More information on the international HBSC study, including reference to international reports from each survey and a list of all publications, can be found at: www.hbsc.org