Report from Toronto Public Health provides snapshot on student health

City of Toronto Media Relations has issued the following:

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News Release:  March 3, 2015

Report from Toronto Public Health provides snapshot on student health

A new Toronto Public Health report titled Healthy Futures presents findings from the first comprehensive school-based student health survey in Toronto.

"The current health status and health behaviours of youth create a foundation for health throughout the course of their lives," said Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health. "Having data on student health in Toronto is critical to plan to improve the health of residents. Despite the importance of this age group, information on the health of Toronto's youth has been limited. We conducted this survey to fill this gap."

A sample of over 6,000 Grade 7 to 12 students from the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic District School Board, Conseil Scolaire Viamonde, and Conseil Scolaire de District Catholique Centre-Sud completed the survey that included measurements of height, weight and dental health. Results were presented, where available, for differences in youth health behaviours based on grade, sex, ethno-racial identity, home language, immigration status and sexual orientation. 

While the majority of Toronto students report in the questionnaire that their health is "good or better," a closer look at the data shows some notable findings, including:

● Five per cent of students reported that they smoked cigarettes in the past 30 days.  However, 66 per cent indicated that they were exposed to second-hand smoke.

● One in four students had used a drug other than alcohol in the past 12 months, and 26 per cent of secondary school students reported risky drinking behaviours such as binge-drinking or mixing alcohol with caffeinated energy drinks.

● While students commonly reported traits associated with positive mental health, one in five students reported being bullied in the past 12 months and one in 10 students reported intentionally hurting themselves. 

● Almost one-third of students are overweight or obese, putting them at higher risk for heart disease, diabetes and some cancers later in life.

● Students with lower socio-economic access – reflecting the student's perception of his or her family's access to goods and services – reported poorer general health and were more likely to be overweight or obese compared to students with higher socio-economic access.

"The report shows good news on several fronts, but also points to opportunities and areas where improvements are needed," said Dr. McKeown. "The information is intended to be used by the local health and education organizations to identify priorities and guide services and policies that promote health and the well-being of Toronto’s youth."

“The safety and well-being of our students continues to be our first priority at the Toronto Catholic District School Board,” said Board Chair Michael Del Grande. “We are grateful for the support of Toronto Public Health and the Ministry of Education.”

“This report reinforces the results we received in our 2011 Student Census," said Pamela Gough, Toronto District School Board Trustee and Representative to Toronto Board of Health. "We are pleased to work with Toronto Public Health and other Toronto schools boards on strategies that will improve the overall mental health and well-being of all students.”

The report will be before Toronto's Board of Health at its March 9 meeting and is available at http://bit.ly/1FRzLyL.

This news release is also available on the City's website: http://bit.ly/1M4Icea

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit http://www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

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Media contact: Lenore Bromley, Toronto Public Health, 416-338-7974, lbromle@toronto.ca