Patterns of lifestyle behaviours that affect health are often established in the teenage years. This report presents an overview of the main health behaviours of NSW secondary school students, including: substance use, such as smoking and drinking alcohol; sun protection; eating habits; involvement in physical activity; and mental wellbeing and injuries.
The report was derived from surveys of secondary school students carried out every three years between 1984 and 2002. These surveys were jointly managed by the NSW Department of Health and the Cancer Council NSW in 1996, 1999 and 2002.