The young risk their health Survey investigated the health of young people Young people smoke and drink too much and many are overweight, a major government survey has found.
Experts are concerned that Britain's youth are prepared to take risks with their health.
The Health of Young People survey is the most comprehensive ever commissioned by the Department of Health. The survey painted a grim picture of Britain's youth with smoking, drinking and obesity commonplace. However, the research also uncovered evidence that many young females, aged 16-24, worry unnecessarily about their weight. The survey found young women tended to perceive themselves as overweight when they were not. If you are very overweight you run a risk of developing a heart attack or a stroke.