Factors associated with good self-rated health in European adolescents: a population-based cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate self-reported health status and associated factors.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the participants were 6501 adolescents (52% females) aged 14-19 years from three European countries: Croatia, Lithuania and Serbia. Self-rated health was assessed by using one item question: "How would you perceive your health?" The answers were arranged along a 5-point Likert-type scale: (1) very poor, (2) poor, (3) fair, (4) good and (5) excellent. The outcome was binarized as "good" (fair, good and excellent) and "poor" health (very poor and poor). Potential factors associated with self-rated health included demographic (age, gender, socioeconomic status and body-mass index), social (social capital) and lifestyle (physical activity and psychological distress) variables.

Results: In both univariate and multivariate models, being older, being a boy, having higher level of family, neighbourhood and school social capital, participating in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity more frequently and having low psychological distress were associated with good self-rated health.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest strong associations between social and lifestyle factors and self-rated health. Other explanatory variables will require future research.

Keywords: Health; Mental problems; Physical activity; Social capital; Youth.