The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #72454

Sharon Sugerman, MS, RD, FADA¹, S.B. Foerster, MPH, RD², Holly Hoegh, PhD³, Mark Hudes, PhD⁴, and Caitlin Thompson, BS¹. (1) Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, Public Health Institute, 601 N 7th Street, PO Box 942732, MS- 662, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, 916-324-3059, ssugerma@dhs.ca.gov, (2) California Department of Health Services, Cancer Prevention and Nutrition Section, PO Box 942732, MS 662, 601 N. 7th Street, Sacramento, CA 94234-7320, (3) Survey Research Group, Cancer Surveillance Section, California Department of Health Services, 1700 Tribute Road, Suite 100, Sacramento, CA 95815, (4) Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of California, Berkeley, 1317 Washington Ave, Albany, CA 94706

The California Teen Eating, Exercise, and Nutrition Survey, first administered in 1998, is the most comprehensive, population-based survey of adolescent eating and physical activity behavior, attitude, and beliefs in the state. Findings from the survey identify self-reported consumption of key nutritious foods and junk foods and exercise practices, as well as body weight status. Results from the 2000 CalTEENS, while too early to determine trends, provide insight into the environmental and individual factors that may be changing, both positively and negatively, in this volatile population and can be compared with 1998 findings for stability in relationships identified at that time. For the total teen population, fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption may have increased slightly, from 4.3 to 4.5 mean servings, but the distribution of the intake suggests increasing racial/ethnic disparities. Intake among white youth increased from 4.1 to 4.7 servings, while intake among Black youth decreased from 4.4 to 4.1 servings. Belief in the need to eat at least 5 servings FV/day increased from 47% to 55%. A striking 65% of those who believed this reported eating at least 5 servings. Consumption of high-fiber beans declined sharply, with steepest decreases in the White and Latino populations. Intake of 1%/nonfat milk also declined substantially among White and Asian/Other teens. Boys were substantially more likely than girls to report eating 2 or more servings of junk food, with the gap greatest at age 14-15, when high school begins. The implication of findings in terms of intervention and policy development will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to:
• 1.Characterize the dietary and PA behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs, as well as body weight status of CA teens
• 2.Discuss characteristics of those teens who display the highest dietary and physical activity risk factors
• 3.Recommend policy and intervention measures that findings suggest could be promising for reversing the trend of increasing teen overweight

Keywords: Children and Adolescents, Nutrition

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.