A recent nationwide study in Germany reveals significant concerns regarding the health literacy and well-being of school children Conducted by the DAK health insurance company and released Tuesday in Berlin, the research indicates that a substantial 84 percent of students lack sufficient motivation to adopt health-conscious behaviors and take responsibility for their own wellness
Only 16 percent demonstrated a high level of health literacy, characterized by active decision-making, initiative and a strong interest in expanding knowledge related to healthy eating, adequate sleep, exercise and physical activity Socioeconomic background plays a crucial role, with only 12 percent of children from lower socioeconomic families exhibiting this higher level of competence
The study, which surveyed 26,586 students across 116 schools between November 2024 and February 2025, also highlighted a prevalence of psychosomatic complaints 65 percent of all students report experiencing exhaustion at least weekly This figure decreases to approximately 55 percent amongst those with higher health literacy Nearly one-third of students experience sleep disturbances multiple times a week and around one-sixth report frequent headaches – issues less common among more health-literate students
Notably, the research paints a particularly concerning picture for girls More than a quarter (27 percent) exhibited depressive symptoms, including sadness and frequent crying, during the 2024/2025 school year – the highest recorded value in recent years and slightly above pandemic levels Girls from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are most likely to report feeling sad or discouraged (43 percent), compared to an overall figure of 18 percent – a 50 percent increase compared to their high-competence peers (12 percent)
Feelings of loneliness are also more pronounced among girls, with 41 percent reporting frequent feelings of isolation and a lack of friends, compared to 25 percent of boys The study consistently demonstrates that students with higher health literacy report lower levels of loneliness (28 percent) than those with lower competence (34 percent)
The “DAK Prevention Radar” study gathered data through online surveys administered in class, focusing on health knowledge, behaviors, psychological distress and social factors These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to promote health literacy and well-being among German school children