Almost half of Australian adolescents have a chronic disease or developmental condition

By Melanie Hinze

Almost half of Australian adolescents are living with at least one noncommunicable disease or developmental condition, according to a new large-scale study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health.

The self-report survey-based study on over 5000 adolescents (mean age, 14.7 years) found that 45.6% reported one or more conditions, including asthma, eczema, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, food allergies, ADHD/ADD, autism spectrum disorder and type 1 or 2 diabetes. Hay fever (23.2%) and asthma (15.1%) were the most commonly reported noncommunicable diseases and ADHD/ADD (9.4%) was the most prevalent developmental condition.

Lead author Dr Bridie Osman, who is Postdoctoral Research Associate at The Matilda Centre for Mental Health and Substance Use, The University of Sydney, Sydney, said the findings confirmed what many GPs were already witnessing.

‘Noncommunicable diseases and developmental conditions in adolescents have been, and are still, on the rise,’ she told Medicine Today. ‘Alongside regular treatment, management or prevention provided by GPs, it is hugely important to also recommend lifestyle improvements and provide services and education for this,’ she said.

The study found strong associations between modifiable behaviours and disease. Higher intake of ultraprocessed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages, increased screen time and the use of alcohol or tobacco were significantly associated with greater odds of having one or more conditions. Notably, consuming ultraprocessed food and alcohol and smoking tobacco, along with poor mental health, were linked with each of the 10 conditions studied.

‘This highlights an important area for improvement that families and teenagers can take some control over,’ said Dr Osman.

Adolescents experiencing severe depression or anxiety had significantly higher odds of reporting conditions including asthma, chronic fatigue and type 2 diabetes. When looking at adolescents with a mental health condition, males had higher rates of diseases or conditions than females with the same mental health condition, although, overall, females were at higher risk of illness than males.

Dr Osman emphasised the importance of taking a broad lifestyle view in preventive care.

‘As GPs are a trusted patient facing information source, advocating for improving nutrition intake; reducing alcohol, tobacco and screen time use; and improving wellbeing could make a significant impact on improving the health of these teens,’ she said.

Aust NZ J Public Health 2025; doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph. 2025.100225.