Victoria Healthy Youth Survey &
The Follow-up Study
Victoria Healthy Youth Survey
The V-HYS was a study that followed young people from adolescence into young adulthood to understand how early experiences shape health later in life. Over a decade of research, V-HYS has contributed important insights into physical health, mental health, relationships, substance use, and social development.
No other research study in Canada has focused on a generation of youth for over a decade, and findings from this study have many important implications for learning about health and wellbeing!
The Follow-up Study
Today, the THRIVE study builds on the foundation of the V-HYS – following participants into early mid-life to uncover how early life experiences impact health, resilience, and well-being in adulthood. The THRIVE study will be the 10-year follow up reunion with participants, where we will aim to identify how the early life experiences we studied in the V-HYS connect to later health outcomes.
Participants of the V-HYS experienced a roller coaster of societal crisis including climate change, unprecedented economic changes, and a global pandemic. We are interested in learning about how these experiences have impacted their health and wellbeing!
What are the goals of the Follow-up Study?
Understand what factors in adolescence and young adulthood affect physical and mental health later in life.
Identify key factors in youth that can predict health in early adulthood.
Work with experts in youth and adult health to help plan future studies.
Set goals for future research by bringing in medical and public health professionals.
Advance knowledge of health and wellness promotion strategies for adolescents and young adults that can set the stage for lifelong health
What were some of the findings from the V-HYS Study?
Economic Wellbeing
- Economic disparaties can limit youth’s opportunities to engage in healthy lifestyles.
- 23% of young adults say they have trouble paying for basic living expenses.
- 58% of young adults had trouble paying for “things they enjoy.”
Mental Health
- Symptoms of depression and anxiety rise across adolescence and begin to decline by age 23.
- Mental health conditions persist across the transition to young adulthood.
- Increases in depression and anxiety are correlated.
- Increases in depression and oppositional defiant symptoms are correlated.
Health Risk Behaviours
- Percent of participants who used a tanning salon declined throughout the study period.
- The percentage of participants who felt the need to cut down on drinking increased steadily from 2005 to 2013 across the cohort.
- 50% of participants in 2013 had 9 or more sexual partners in their lives (average 2 per year) and 22% had an STI in their lives.
Healthy Life-style Behaviours
- Sleep duration declines with age and 30% percent of participants do not get the 7 hours of sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.
- Shorter sleep duration is related to higher BMI and to more depression and anxiety in adolescent girls.
- Nutrition choices were adequate across the cohort.
- Physical activity in an average week declined as the study progressed.
- 81% of participants wished they were in better physical condition.
Physical Health
- One in three participants were overweight in 2013.
- One in five participants had hypertension, and young adults with hypertension are 3 times more likely to be male.
- 29% of participants had symptoms of backaches, and sleeping difficulties every week or more.
Health Service Utilization
- 78% of young adults visited a doctor in the past year.
- 13% of young adults contacted a nurse in the past year.
The V-HYS research has resulted in over 38 peer-reviewed publications, 17 book chapters, 73 presentations at national and international conferences, and 4 policy-focused reports on the health and wellbeing of our youth. This shows how valuable participation in this research really is!
INFOGRAPHICS GALLERY
Check out some of the more in depth findings and statistics from the V-HYS study!