The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) assesses the prevalence of six categories of behavior that contribute substantially to the leading causes of death, illness, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. The six categories of risk behaviors include: (1) violence and unintentional injuries; (2) tobacco use; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; (5) unhealthy dietary behaviors; and (6) physical inactivity. All students in BIA funded middle schools in the United States with at least 10 students enrolled in grades 6, 7, or 8 were eligible to participate in the survey. Of the 149 eligible schools, 127 (85%) participated and 7,667 of the 9,691 eligible students (79%) completed usable questionnaires; the overall response rate was 67%. This presentation highlights results from each of the six categories of priority risk behaviors. For example, 45.1% (95% confidence interval=42.5%-47.7%) ever rode with a drinking driver, 24.8% (23.1%-26.6%) ever seriously considered suicide, 73.2% (70.8%-75.6%) ever tried cigarettes, 44.8% (41.3%-48.3%) ever used marijuana, 16.3% (14.4%-18.2%) ever had sexual intercourse, 17.6% (16.2%-19.0%) were overweight, and 58.6% (58.6%-61.0%) engaged in vigorous physical activity. Many middle school students were engaging in health risk behaviors. These results demonstrate the importance of planned and sequential health education programs that begin in elementary school.
Learning Objectives: Identify the prevalence of risk behaviors among middle school students attending BIA-funded schools.
Keywords: Risk Behavior, Adolescents
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.