Fewer US Teens Engaging In Health Risk Behaviours
09 Jun 2006
Compared to 1991, fewer US teens are engaging in health risk behaviors, according to The National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), released by the CDC. However, ethnic and racial differences are still significant.
Here is a list of some of the differences in high school youth risk behavior today when compared to 1991:
-- More high school students are using seat belts when driving. Just 10% don't regularly buckle up today, 18% in 2003, and 26% in 1991.
-- Students reporting alcohol use. 43% in 2005, 51% in 1991.
-- In 2005 47% had had sexual intercourse, 54% in 1991.
-- Of the sexually active, 63% use condoms today, 46% in 1991.
According to Howell Wechsler, Ed.D, MPH, CDC's division of adolescent and school health Director, “The overall survey results are encouraging because they show us that persistent efforts to get young people to adopt healthier behaviors can achieve positive results. However, the results also illustrate some of the challenges. One, it does take persistence to achieve results. And two, despite the overall improvements in health behaviors of teens, racial and ethnic differences continue to exist.”
Black high school students are the least likely to use tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs when compared to their white and Hispanic peers. However, they are more likely to be involved in more risky sexual behaviours. Black high school students are also more likely to lead more sedentary lifestyles.
White high school students are less likely to be involved in physical fights, risky sexual behaviour - they are also less likely to be overweight - when compared their black or Hispanic peers. However, white high school students are more likely to smoke and engage in binge drinking sessions.
The use of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines is more likely to occur among Hispanic high school students than among black or white students. Attempted suicides are also more prevalent among Hispanic students.
Wechsler said “The reasons for these racial and ethnic differences are complex. More research is needed to assess the impact of education, socio-economic status, environment, and cultural factors that may contribute to health risk behaviors among high school students.”
Every two years YRBSs are conducted throughout the USA, at national, state and local levels. The surveys monitor high school students':
-- health risk behaviours that lead to injuries and violence
-- tobacco, alcohol and other drug use
-- sexual behaviours that raise the risk of pregnancies and STDs
-- dietary behaviours
-- physical inactivity that may lead to overweight/obesity
Each survey involves 14,000 high school students. Data is collected and presented for black, Hispanic and white students only - this is because other ethnic groups are too small for the numbers to be meaningful. To take part in the survey all students must have permission from their parents. All students take part on a voluntary basis and their names are kept confidential - responses are anonymous. Questionnaires can be modified according to the needs of each state. The 2005 survey covered 40 states and 21 large urban school districts.
Link:
2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Health Behaviors in Teens 
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