Using data from the most recent MCS sweep, at age 17, this project examined a range of issues relevant to young people’s lives today:

• Mental ill-health
• Overweight and obesity
• Substance use and antisocial behaviour

Below you can read a summary of our briefings on each topic. You can also download and read the full briefings.

Mental ill-health

Key findings from this briefing include:

• 16% of teenagers reported high levels of psychological distress at age 17.
• 24% of young people reported self-harming and 7% reported self-harming with suicidal intent by age 17.
• Females, White teenagers, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and sexual minority teens were all more likely to experience mental ill-health.

Overweight and obesity

Key findings from this briefing include:

• 21% of cohort members were obese at age 17 and a further 14% were overweight, with rates remaining stable stable since age 14.
• Rates of obesity were twice as high among teens from the poorest homes compared to those from the richest households (28% versus 14%).

Substance use and antisocial behaviour

Key findings from this  briefing include:

• 31% of young people had tried cannabis and 10% had tried harder drugs by age 17.
• 53% had engaged in binge drinking and 9% said they had done this on 10 or more occasions in the past year.
• Prevalence of assault decreased from 32% at age 14 to 25% at age 17.