A new study Dr. Sven Hartmann sand co-authors from Italy and the Czech Republic examines the relationship between relative age within a school cohort and adolescents’ eating behavior in Europe.
Using data from 30 European countries, the analysis shows that relatively younger students within a class are more likely to display unhealthy eating habits. Among other findings, they face a higher risk of being overweight, consume soft drinks more frequently, and skip meals more often. The effects are particularly pronounced among boys.
The authors also argue that institutional conditions matter: In countries with comprehensive school meal programs, the differences between relatively younger and older adolescents are less pronounced.
The study is based on data from the international “Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children” survey, which collected information from around 600,000 adolescents between 2001 and 2018.
The study was published in the Economics of Education Review.
Using data from 30 European countries, the analysis shows that relatively younger students within a class are more likely to display unhealthy eating habits. Among other findings, they face a higher risk of being overweight, consume soft drinks more frequently, and skip meals more often. The effects are particularly pronounced among boys.
The authors also argue that institutional conditions matter: In countries with comprehensive school meal programs, the differences between relatively younger and older adolescents are less pronounced.
The study is based on data from the international “Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children” survey, which collected information from around 600,000 adolescents between 2001 and 2018.
The study was published in the Economics of Education Review.
