Principal investigator: Mary L. Hediger, Ph.D.
The Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study is a cross-national research survey conducted in collaboration with the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. The HBSC aims to gain new insight into, and increase the understanding of young people's health and well-being, health behaviors, and their social context. Initiated in 1982 in three countries, there are now more than 35 participating countries and regions.

The first cross-national survey was conducted in 1983-1984, the second in 1985-1986, and subsequently every four years using a common research protocol. The United States has been associated with the HBSC since 1993-1994, completed a demonstration survey in 1996, and has been a fully participating member since 1997-1998. The most recent survey was just completed for 2001-2002, as a collaborative effort between Health Resources and Services Administration/Maternal and Child Health Bureau (Dr. Mary D. Overpeck) and DESPR (Dr. Mary L. Hediger, Epidemiology Branch).

Besides contributing to the international survey, the United States simultaneously mounts a nationally representative school-based survey of nearly 15,000 students in grades 6 through 10 using similar data collection methods, but with an enhanced protocol. Completed analyses include studies of depressive symptoms in adolescents (1996 survey); the prevalence, patterns, determinants, and effects of violence, bullying behaviors, and injury; and international comparisons of rates of adolescent overweight. Work in progress includes studies on the timing of pubertal development and risk behaviors, and the contribution of pubertal timing to risk of bullying behaviors in both boys and girls.

The HBSC 2005-2006 Survey: School Report is now available.

DESPR Collaborators

· Peter C. Scheidt, M.D., M.P.H.
· Alisha J. Rovner, Ph.D.
· Tonja R. Nansel, Ph.D.
 
Selected Publications

Nansel TR, Craig W, Overpeck MD, Saluja G, & Ruan WJ. (2004). Cross-national consistency in relationship between bullying behaviors and psychosocial adjustment. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158:730-736. [Abstract]

Saluja G, Iachan R, Scheidt PC, Overpeck MD, Sun W, & Giedd JN. (2004). Prevalence of and risk factors for depressive symptoms among young adolescents. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158:760-765. [Abstract]

Lissau I, Overpeck MD, Ruan WJ, Due P, Holstein BE, Hediger ML, & the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Obesity Working Group. (2004). Body mass index and overweight in adolescents in 13 European countries, Israel, and the United States. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 158:27-33. [Abstract]

Nansel TR, Overpeck MD, Haynie DL, Ruan WJ, & Scheidt PC. (2003). Relationships between bullying and violence among U.S. youth. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 157:348-353. [Abstract]

Nansel TR, Overpeck M, Pilla RS, Ruan WJ, Simons-Morton B, & Scheidt P. (2001). Bullying behaviors among US youth: Prevalence and association with psychosocial adjustment. JAMA, 285:2094-2100. [Abstract]