Abstract

RAPOSO, Jakelline et al. Health behavior of adolescents according to sex: a systematic review. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2016, vol.17, n.2, pp.214-235. ISSN 1645-0086.  https://doi.org/10.15309/16psd170209.

Traditional gender roles are still dominant in many countries, especially in developing countries with authoritarian governments. The male and female roles learned since childhood include stereotyped behaviors even in relation to health. This systematic review was aimed at investigating the differences in health behaviors of adolescent students according to sex. The search was conducted in the Pubmed database using "global school based student health survey" or "global school based student health survey questionnaire" and "female" and "male" as descriptors. Two separate researchers selected the material and disagreements were solved mediated by a third researcher discussion. Among the 36 articles found, 5 were excluded. The age range in 3 of them did not match that in the survey, 1 was in Chinese and 1 did not address health behavior. It was found that boys were more likely to report consuming alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs, poorer dietary habits, sexual risk behavior, violent and intentional injuries. For girls, the most prevalent risk behaviors were those related to indicators of stress to mental health and insufficient level of physical activity. It can be concluded that, compared to girls, boys reported a higher prevalence of health risk behaviors.

Keywords : Adolescent; Health Behavior; Sex.

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