Originally published October 24 2005
Canadian study examines the role social activity plays in health
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Canadian Institute for Health Information has conducted surveys of 12- to 19-year-olds and found that the quality of a child's social life impacts the state of their physical health.
Canadian teens who say they feel nurtured by their parents and connected to their school and friends tend to be healthier, a new report says.
The report from the Canadian Institute for Health Information looks at what fosters good health and well-being in young people, rather than focusing on unhealthy risk factors like smoking and drugs.
Researchers used information from several previous surveys and reports on the lives of people aged 12-19, examining the importance of assets like school participation, volunteering, and relationships with friends and parents.
"You are also more likely if you have strong social ties to say you're in better health," said Jennifer Zelmer, a researcher at the institute.
"Kids who are in better health as teens are more likely to be in better health as adults as well.
So things that happen in those years can really set patterns for later in life."
Half of youth aged 12 to 15 reported a high level of parental nurturing and monitoring - parents who listened to them and set limits but showed a lot of interest in their lives.
Among those aged up to 17, eight in 10 reported feeling very connected to their peers.
Zelmer said while the information seems intuitive, the report makes an important link between kids' social environment and their health.
Teens who reported lower levels of parental nurturing or did not feel engaged at school were less likely to report being healthy and were more likely to report smoking, drinking and using marijuana.
The findings show parents, school, friends and community are all important in helping young people to realize their potential, the researchers said.
Youth in Atlantic Canada and the territories are more likely to report feeling connected to and involved with their community, Zelmer said.
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