The implications of gender, socioeconomic statuses, and healthy behaviors for teenagers’ subjective health

Abstract This study uses data from a large urban birth cohort in the U.S. (N = 3,011) to examine how, and to what extent, gender, socioeconomic statuses (SES), and healthy behaviors (i.e., sleep quality, healthy eating, and physical activities) shape teenagers’ subjective health. Regression analyses are used to first analyze the extent to which gender and SES predict teenagers’ subjective health, then to assess the extent to which gender and SES predict teenagers’ healthy behaviors, and finally to consider the extent to which healthy behaviors mediate relationships between subjective health and both gender and SES. The results reveal that the associations between subjective health and both gender and SES are partially the result of indirect associations through healthy behaviors. In addition, the frequencies to which adolescents engage in vigorous physical activity, eat fruits and vegetables, and have problems sleeping appear to be particularly important to teenagers’ subjective health. This research should help encourage discussion about health promoting strategies, with particular relevance for the subjective health of young girls and those with lower SES.