image: ©Drazen Zigic | iStock
New data from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show improvements in mental health, dietary habits and sports participation among American high school students
Released on 21 September 2026, the report Youth Health in Focus examines national Youth Risk Behaviour Survey (YRBS) data from 2023 to 2025, along with trends over the past decade. It explores five key areas of student health: diet, physical activity, sleep, digital behaviours, and mental health and suicide risk.
Positive changes in mental health
One of the most encouraging findings is the improvement in several measures of young people’s mental health.
The proportion of students experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness fell from 40% in 2023 to 33% in 2025. The percentage reporting poor mental health also decreased, from 29% to 23%. In addition, the proportion of students who seriously considered suicide dropped from 20% to 14% over the same period.
Healthier eating habits and more sports participation
The report also identified improvements in some dietary behaviours. Daily fruit consumption increased from 33% to 39%, while daily vegetable consumption rose from 58% to 63%.
The number of students drinking plain water at least three times a day also increased, from 54% to 58%.
Sports participation showed a similar positive trend, with the proportion of high school students playing on a sports team rising from 52% to 58% between 2023 and 2025.
However, overall physical activity levels changed little. Daily exercise, muscle-strengthening activities and meeting recommended physical activity guidelines remained largely unchanged. Meanwhile, fewer students attended physical education classes every day.
Sleep and digital safety remain concerns
Despite improvements in some areas, many students still face challenges that could affect their health and well-being.
In 2025, only 24% of students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night, compared with 23% in 2023. Insufficient sleep can affect concentration, mental health and decision-making.
Digital behaviours also remain a concern. Around 36% of students reported using social media every hour or more, similar to the 37% recorded in 2023.
Among students who had driven in the previous month, 46% reported texting or emailing while driving, up from 42% in 2023.
The CDC’s findings show progress and challenges in youth health. Schools, families and communities can help by encouraging healthier eating, regular physical activity, adequate sleep and safer digital habits, while ensuring young people have access to mental health support.
The YRBS has collected nationally representative data for more than 35 years, helping public health leaders identify risks and develop evidence-based prevention strategies.
The full 2025 survey dataset, report and supporting materials are available at www.cdc.gov/yrbs.
