Recorded presentation

Richard Lowry, MD, MS, Danice K. Eaton, PhD, MPH, and Laura Kann, PhD. Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, MS K-33, Atlanta, GA 30341, (770) 488-6176, rxl1@cdc.gov

Insufficient physical activity, poor food choices, and overweight are common and often interrelated risk behaviors among adolescents that may increase the burden of chronic disease in the United States. This study examined trends in physical activity and its associations with consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk, and body mass index. As part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 3 national school-based surveys were conducted between 1999 and 2003. Each survey provided self-report data from approximately 14,000 students using a nationally representative cross-sectional sample of students in grades 9-12. Secular trends and associations were analyzed using logistic regression models that controlled for gender, race/ethnicity, and age. From 1999-2003, the prevalence of insufficiently active students (did not participate in recommended levels of moderate and vigorous activity) increased significantly from 30.5% to 33.4% (odds ratio, OR=1.04). Insufficiently active students were more likely to be female, black, Hispanic, and older. Compared to the most active students (met recommendations for both moderate and vigorous activity), insufficiently active students were less likely to consume ≥2 servings/day of fruit (45.0% vs 23.7%, OR=0.37), ≥3 servings/day of vegetables (21.6% vs 9.4%, OR=0.37), ≥3 servings/day of milk (24.0% vs 10.6%, OR=0.45), and were more likely to be overweight (10.2% vs 12.2%, OR=1.38) or underweight (2.1% vs 3.4%, OR=1.61). Racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in physical activity levels exist among adolescents. The prevalence of insufficiently active adolescents is increasing and is associated with inadequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk, and failure to maintain a normal body weight.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Describe secular trends in the prevalence of US high school students who were insufficiently active (did not meet year 2010 national health objectives for moderate (objective 22-
• and vigorous (objective 22-
• physical activity.
• Describe racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the prevalence of insufficient physical activity among US high school students.
• Describe associations of physical activity with consumption of fruits, vegetables, and milk, and body mass index, and the implications of these findings for efforts to promote physical activity and healthy eating among youth.

Keywords: Adolescents, Physical Activity

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.

Recorded presentation