Student Health Clusters Based on Health-Behaviour and Academic Achievement: The Hungarian Evidence in an International Comparison

Abstract

The prevalence of health-damaging behaviours is worldwide typical although the growing trend of health-damaging behaviour has a negative influence on academic achievement. Our study aims to measure the connection between health behaviour and academic achievement. We mapped the different student clusters and their characteristics, furthermore, we compared the Hungarian and international trends regarding perceived health based on HBSC 2014 (N=2732). Regarding our results, the 9th and 11th-grade students can be categorized into four groups concerning health-risk behaviour and self-esteem entitled deviant, phlegm, balanced and stressful groups. The educational level of the parents and gender had a significant influence. Significant territorial differences could be found, indicating the better mental health of students learning in West Transdanubia and the lower efficacy of those learning in Central and North Hungary. Concerning the international comparison, the ratio of students with lower self-rated health is higher among Hungarian students. The significant health-behavioural clusters and their territorial distribution highlights the huge differences in the Hungarian and international comparison. The results indicate to improve the health-awareness and academic achievement of the students, especially in the disadvantaged regions.