Dutch teenagers are smoking and drinking less than a decade ago and in general their health is good, according to an analysis by public health body RIVM.

However, the number of teenagers being admitted to hospital because they have drunk too much alcohol has increased and there has been no reduction in childhood obesity rates, the RIVM survey shows.

Bullying at secondary school has gone down but remains unchanged at primary school. There has also been an increase in reports of child abuse but it is unclear if this represents a real rise, the survey says.

The aim of the survey is to provde an integrated overview of the physical and psycho-social health of children and adolescents to make sure government policy is meeting their needs.

International surveys show repeatedly that Dutch children are among the healthiest and happiest in the world.

Summary in English