UNIVERSITY OF THE PEOPLE

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

SIDRA

ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4

BRIGHT KOMOR

Analysis of the 2019 Philippines Global School-Based Health Survey (GSHS) and

Implications for Adolescent Health Policy

Introduction

To set the ball rolliing, adolescents aged 13–17 years face unique health challenges

that influence their lifelong well-being. The Global School-Based Health Survey

(GSHS), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in collaboration with

UNICEF, UNESCO, UNAIDS, and with technical assistance from the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), seeks to provide data on health behaviors and

protective factors among this age group (CDC, 2018). This assignment analyzes the

findings of the 2019 GSHS in the Philippines, exploring how these findings align with

or diverge from contemporary literature. It focuses on three key areas: nutritional

behaviors, mental health, and physical activity, and contextualizes the findings within

global adolescent health frameworks.

1. Nutritional Behaviors: Trends and Challenges

The 2019 GSHS report reveals that only 18.4% of students in the Philippines reported

consuming fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, while 58.1% drank

carbonated soft drinks at least once per day. This dietary pattern is concerning,
especially considering the dual burden of malnutrition and obesity among adolescents

in low- and middle-income countries (Akseer et al., 2020).

Akseer et al. (2020) emphasize the rising incidence of non-communicable diseases

(NCDs) among adolescents, driven in part by poor dietary habits. The GSHS data

support this concern, indicating a need for comprehensive nutrition education and

regulation of sugary beverages in schools. Alderman et al. (2019) advocate for school-

based interventions to promote healthy dietary behaviors during adolescence. Thus,

the findings of the GSHS align with current literature and underscore the urgency for

policy action.

The literature further suggests that adolescents require consistent nutritional

messaging reinforced through policy, education, and parental engagement. WHO

(2021) calls for comprehensive school-based programs to address these dietary

challenges. In the Philippines, public health strategies must consider cultural food

preferences, socioeconomic disparities, and access to nutritious foods.

2. Mental Health: Prevalence of Anxiety and Suicidal Behavior

Mental health indicators in the GSHS show alarming trends: 16.2% of students

seriously considered attempting suicide, and 11.4% attempted suicide in the past 12

months. Additionally, 36.4% reported feeling lonely, and 35.6% felt worried to the

extent that they could not sleep at night.

These findings makes meaning to Alderman et al. (2019), who emphasize the critical

mental health needs of adolescents, citing increasing rates of depression and anxiety

disorders. The high prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts in the Philippines

aligns with global trends noted by WHO (2021), where suicide is a leading cause of
death among young people. However, the GSHS also highlights a divergence from the

literature in terms of access to mental health services, as many students lack sufficient

support structures in school environments.

The gap between identified mental health needs and available support systems is

troubling. According to Akseer et al. (2020), low- and middle-income countries often

lack the infrastructure to provide accessible and confidential mental health care for

adolescents. This supports the call for the integration of mental health services in

school health programs and for teacher training to detect early warning signs of

psychological distress.

3. Physical Activity: Disparities and Gender Differences

Only 15.4% of students met the recommended levels of physical activity, with

females significantly less active than males. This gender disparity supports the

findings of Sharara et al. (2018), who discussed the sociocultural barriers that limit

female participation in physical activity across various cultures. Although their study

focused on Arab countries, similar cultural norms and gender expectations can restrict

female adolescents in the Philippines.

Moreover, De Bolle et al. (2015) found that sex differences in personality traits,

including conscientiousness and extraversion, emerge in early adolescence and may

influence engagement in physical activities. The GSHS supports these assertions by

highlighting gender gaps in activity levels. To address this, culturally sensitive,

gender-inclusive physical education programs are necessary. These should be

designed to empower girls and create safe, accessible spaces for physical activity.
Incorporating more inclusive and flexible school curricula that account for varying

preferences and comfort levels among students can also help bridge the gender gap.

Additionally, investing in community infrastructure that encourages physical activity

for all genders is crucial in promoting long-term engagement.

Conclusion

The 2019 Philippines GSHS provides critical insights into adolescent health

behaviors. The findings strongly support the literature in highlighting poor nutritional

behaviors, growing mental health concerns, and gender disparities in physical activity.

However, there are gaps in service provision and access, especially in mental health

support, that diverge from ideal standards outlined in scholarly research. Effective

adolescent health promotion must integrate multi-sectoral strategies, including policy

reforms, education system interventions, and community engagement. Coordinated

efforts from governments, educators, healthcare providers, and families will be

essential in ensuring holistic well-being for Filipino adolescents.

References

Alderman, E. M., Breuner, C. C., Grubb, L.K., Powers, M.E., Upadhya, K., &

Wallace, S.B. (2019). Unique needs of the adolescent. American Academy of

Pediatrics, 144(6). https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2019-3150

Akseer, N., Mehta, S., Wigle, J., Chera, R., Brickman, Z. J., Al-Gashm, S., ... &

Bhutta, Z. A. (2020). Non-communicable diseases among adolescents: current status,

determinants, interventions and policies. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-20.

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-09988-5
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Global School-Based Student

Health Survey (GSHS). https://www.cdc.gov/gshs

De Bolle, M., De Fruyt, F., McCrae, R. R., Löckenhoff, C. E., Costa Jr, P. T.,

Aguilar-Vafaie, M. E., et al. (2015). The emergence of sex differences in personality

traits in early adolescence: A cross-sectional, cross-cultural study. Journal of

Personality and Social Psychology, 108(1), 171-185.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4327943/

Sharara, E., Akik, C., Ghattas, H., & Obermeyer, C. M. (2018). Physical inactivity,

gender and culture in Arab countries: a systematic assessment of the literature. BMC

Public Health, 18(1), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5472-z

World Health Organization. (2021, January 18). Adolescents and young adult health.

http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs345/en/