HEALTH and wellbeing are determined by social class.

The most extensive survey of young people's health ever commissioned by the Department of Health reveals a female obsession with weight and binge drinking among young men.

The psychological well-being of youngsters aged two-15 was very much determined by the income levels within their homes.

Behavioural, emotional and relationship problems were more prevalent in low income households. Good eating habits, such as eating fruit and vegetables more than once a day, were more likely in children from higher social classes while poor diets were prevalent in the low income households.

Smoking among children aged 13-15 was higher in households where at least one parent smoked (24pc) than in households where no adults smoke (7pc).

Excluding activities at school, 29pc of girls and 44pc of boys didn't take part in physical activities lasting 30 minutes. Using the standard definition of "overweight" in adults, 23pc of young men and 19pc of women were overweight and six and eight per cent respectively were obese. Young women tended to perceive themselves as overweight when they were not; among those with a desirable weight, 2 pc said they were too heavy and 45pc were trying to lose weight. Among underweight women, 10pc were trying to lose weight.

The proportion of young men who smoke increased from 20pc at age 16 to 40pc at age 18. For young women the proportion was higher than men aged 16-25 but lower at age 18-30. For both men and women aged 20-24 the smoking rate was 40pc.

Smoking was more prevalent in the lower social classes than those in the higher income bracket households.

At all ages both major and minor accidents were more common among young men. Children of parents with high blood pressure had higher mean blood pressure than those whose parents had normal blood pressure.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.