Some findings

Some findings from TestJeLeefstijl 2024:

  • 54% of all MBO students aged 18 and over meet the physical activity guidelines for moderate or vigorous exercise and bone- and muscle-strengthening activities.
  • 72% of all students drink alcohol occasionally, with students at levels 3 and 4 engaging in binge drinking more often than entry-level and level 2 students.
  • Almost three-quarters of MBO students indicate that they know enough people they can turn to with problems.
  • One in ten MBO young people feel a sense of emptiness around them.

Source of information

The results of TestJeLeefstijl.nl are analysed by practitioner-researchers and used for reports to the House of Representatives. This makes TestJeLeefstijl.nl not only a practical tool for schools, but also an important policy instrument at national level. In 2024, research was conducted by the Vitality practitioner-research group (Alfa College) and the Health, Sport & Exercise practitioner-research group (Landstede), with the support of the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, based on data from the 2022–2023 academic year. The study focused on the following topics: physical activity, substance use, nutrition, anxiety & depression, contact & friendship, sexuality, aggression & safety, money, and hearing & music.

Broad insight, targeted interventions

TestJeLeefstijl.nl is a signalling and monitoring tool hosted by the MBO Raad, the association of publicly funded MBO schools in the Netherlands. The test enables students to gain insight into their current lifestyle and provides tailored advice to improve their health and mental wellbeing. Completing the test helps young people make healthier choices and strengthen their mental wellbeing. At the same time, it gives schools the opportunity to develop and implement targeted interventions. With more than 20,000 students participating each year, it provides broad insight into the health and wellbeing of MBO students. These insights give MBO administrators concrete starting points for formulating policies that contribute to the vitality and health of their students. This benefits not only the young people’s personal development, but also has a positive effect on their vitality in the workplace and on preventing early school leaving.

Strengthening wellbeing and vitality in the workplace

The strength of TestJeLeefstijl.nl lies in its versatile and thorough approach. The test covers a total of 16 themes that are essential to young people’s health and wellbeing. These themes were developed in collaboration with renowned national knowledge institutes such as Rutgers, the Trimbos Institute, Nibud and 113 Suicide Prevention. The anonymised data resulting from the test are used for scientific purposes. They also help develop and improve interventions that can be implemented by MBO schools as part of the comprehensive Healthy School approach to strengthen wellbeing and vitality in the workplace.

The national MBO lifestyle monitor TestJeLeefstijl 2024 can be downloaded here.