N.B. youth not meeting national health behaviour guidelines: study

A 2024-2025 survey from New Brunswick Student Wellness and Education (SWES) indicates most of the youth in the province are not meeting national health behaviour guidelines on topics like physical activity, sleep and recreational screen time.

The SWES survey is conducted each fall in public schools across the province, with more than 46,000 students in grades 6 to 12 participating in the most recent edition.

“This survey provides valuable insights to citizens, educators, service providers, and policymakers by measuring wellness at the local level,” reads a news release from the New Brunswick Health Council (NBHC).

According to the latest survey results:

• Twenty-four per cent of youth meet the physical activity guideline of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily.
• Twelve per cent of youth limit their leisure screen time to the recommended two hours or less per day.
• About 61 per cent of youth get at least eight hours of sleep on school nights as is recommended.

Additionally, over 11,000 or 21 per cent reported using one or more substances:

• Over 3, 000 youth or six per cent reported smoking cigarettes daily or occasionally.
• Over 6,000 youth or 12 per cent reported vaping daily or occasionally.
• Over 7,000 youth or 16 per cent reported having had a drink of alcohol at least once a month in the last 12 months.
• Over 5,000 youth or 11 per cent reported having used cannabis in the last 12 months.

“These results are a call to action,” says Stéphane Robichaud, CEO of the NBHC. “They show that many youth in New Brunswick are not engaging in the health behaviours known to support strong mental and physical well-being. This isn’t just a youth issue – it’s a community issue. If we want to see improvement, we need long-term, coordinated efforts tailored to the specific needs of youth in our communities.”

When compared to youth across Canada, those in New Brunswick are less likely to report their physical or mental health as “excellent” or “very good,” according to Statistics Canada.

“Evidence from scientific literature and the SWES shows that behaviours like getting enough sleep, staying active, and limiting screen time are interrelated and strongly linked to better health outcomes,” reads the release from NBHC.

“Yet the latest SWES data reveals that many NB youth are struggling to meet these guidelines.”

The NBHC says youth behaviours vary greatly across the province, requiring a locally tailored approach to support youth health and well-being.

For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.