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BACKGROUND: Consumption of fruits and vegetables is often recommended to promote healthy weight. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between fruit and vegetable intake and common weight management behaviors among US high school students who were trying to lose or stay the same weight. METHODS: Data from the 1999, 2001, and 2003 national high school Youth Risk Behavior Surveys were combined and the analyses stratified by gender (females, N = 16,709; males, N = 10,521). We considered 3 common weight management strategies--being physically active (ie, moderate activity for 30 minutes on 5 or more clays per week or vigorous activity for 20 minutes on 3 of more days per week), eating a reduced calorie or fat diet, and limiting TV viewing. Sufficient fruit and vegetable intake was defined as eating 5 or more servings per day. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS: Only 21.3% of females and 24.7% of males are sufficient fruits and vegetables. Being physically active was associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable intake. Eating a reduced calorie of fat diet and limiting TV viewing (among males) were associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable intake only among physically active students. The odds of sufficient fruit and vegetable intake were greatest among female (OR = 3.01) and male (OR = 2.91) students who combined all 3 strategies (31.5% of females, 21.6% of males). CONCLUSIONS: Interventions that promote fruit and vegetable intake within the context of healthy weight management may be more effective if they combine nutrition and physical activity strategies. Further research is needed to test this approach. Keywords: nutrition and diet; physical fitness and sport; child and adolescent health. Citation: Lowry R, Lee SM, McKenna ML, Galuska DA, Kann LK. Weight management and fruit and vegetable intake among US high school students. J Sch Health. 2008; 78: 417-424., The increasing prevalence of overweight among children, adolescents, and adults highlights the need for healthy and effective dietary strategies for weight management. (1) Diets rich in fruits and vegetables are [...]

BACKGROUND: Nearly 10% of students enrolled in US public schools are absent daily. Although previous research has shown associations of school absenteeism with participation in risk behaviors, it is unclear if these associations vary by whether the absence was excused. The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of health risk behaviors with being absent from school with and without permission among high school students. METHODS: During spring 2004, questionnaires similar to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey questionnaire were completed by 4517 ninth- and eleventh-grade students. Responses to items assessing frequency of school absences during the past 30 days for any reason and without permission were combined to create a variable coded as absent on: 0 days; ≥ 1 day, all with permission (WP); and ≥ 1 day, at least 1 day without permission (WOP). Logistic regression analyses controlling for gender, grade, and race/ethnicity examined the association of risk behaviors with absenteeism. RESULTS: Controlling for demographic variables, compared to students who were absent o days, students who were absent WP had significantly higher odds of engaging in 25 of 55 risk behaviors examined and students who were absent WOP had significantly higher odds of engaging in 43 of the 55 behaviors. Students who were absent WOP also had approximately twice the odds of engaging in risk behaviors compared to students who were absent WP. CONCLUSIONS: School absenteeism, with and without permission, is associated with risk behaviors. Schools should recognize absenteeism for any reason as a warning sign for a variety of risk behaviors. Keywords: school; absenteeism; risk behavior; health behavior., LITERATURE REVIEW Each day, approximately 9% of students enrolled in US public schools are absent. (1) Daily student absenteeism rates vary substantially across schools and have been reported as high [...]

BACKGROUND: School health education can effectively help reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among students and have a positive influence on students' academic performance. This article describes the characteristics of school health education policies and programs in the United States at the state, district, school, and classroom levels. METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts the School Health Policies and Programs Study every 6 years. In 2006, computer-assisted telephone interviews or self-administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of districts (n = 459). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 920) and with a nationally representative sample of teachers of classes covering required health instruction in elementary schools and required health education courses in middle and high schools (n = 912). RESULTS: Most states and districts had adopted a policy stating that schools will teach at least 1 of the 14 health topics, and nearly all schools required students to receive instruction on at least 1 of these topics. However, only 6.4% of elementary schools, 20.6% of middle schools, and 35.8% of high schools required instruction on all 14 topics. In support of schools, most states and districts offered staff development for those who teach health education, although the percentage of teachers of required health instruction receiving staff development was low. CONCLUSIONS: Health education has the potential to help students maintain and improve their health, prevent disease, and reduce health-related risk behaviors. However, despite signs of progress, this potential is not being fully realized, particularly at the school level. Keywords: school health education; schools; school policy; surveys., School health education has been defined in various, though similar ways. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines health education as: 'A planned, sequential, K-12 curriculum [...]

BACKGROUND: The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 examined 8 components of school health programs: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. All 8 components were assessed at the state, district, and school levels. Two components, health education and physical education and activity, also were assessed at the classroom level. METHODS: Computer-assisted telephone interviews or self-administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of school districts (n = 538). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 1103), with a nationally representative sample of teachers of required health education classes or courses (n = 912), and with a nationally representative sample of teachers of required physical education classes or courses (n = 1194). RESULTS: This article provides a detailed description of the development of the questionnaires; sampling; data collection; and data cleaning, weighting, and analysis. CONCLUSIONS: SHPPS 2006 is the largest and most comprehensive study of school health programs ever conducted. Fielding a study of this magnitude provides many challenges, and several recommendations for future studies emerged from the experience. Keywords: data collection; interviews; questionnaires; schools; surveys; telephone surveys., The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 was conducted by the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers [...]

BACKGROUND: The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2006 is the largest, most comprehensive assessment of school health programs in the United States ever conducted. METHODS: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducts SHPPS every 6 years. In 2006, computer-assisted telephone interviews or self-administered mail questionnaires were completed by state education agency personnel in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia and among a nationally representative sample of districts (n = 538). Computer-assisted personal interviews were conducted with personnel in a nationally representative sample of elementary, middle, and high schools (n = 1103) and with a nationally representative sample of teachers of classes covering required health instruction in elementary schools and required health education courses in middle and high schools (n = 912) and teachers of required physical education classes and courses (n = 1194). RESULTS: SHPPS 2006 describes key school health policies and programs across all 8 school health program components: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, nutrition services, healthy and safe school environment, faculty and staff health promotion, and family and community involvement. SHPPS 2006 also provides data to monitor 6 Healthy People 2010 objectives. CONCLUSIONS: SHPPS 2006 is a new and important resource for school and public health practitioners, scientists, advocates, policymakers, and all those who care about the health and safety of youth and their ability to succeed academically and socially. Keywords: school health programs; schools; school policy; surveys., School health programs can play a unique and important role in the lives of youth by helping improve their health-related knowledge, attitudes, and skills; healthy behaviors and health outcomes; education [...]

This paper examined changes in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related risk behaviors among high school students in the United States during 1991-2005. Data from 8 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveys conducted during that period were analyzed. During 1991-2005, the percentage of US high school students engaging in HIV-related sexual risk behaviors significantly decreased., Young persons who engage in unprotected sexual intercourse or use injection drugs are at increased risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. To examine changes in HIV-related risk behaviors among [...]

In the United States, 71% of all deaths among persons aged 10-24 years result from 4 causes: motorvehiele crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 2005 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that during the 30 days preceding the survey, many high school students engaged in behaviors that increased their likelihood of death from these 4 causes: 9.9% had driven a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol, 18.5% had carried a weapon, 43.3% had drunk alcohol, and 20.2% had used marijuana. In addition, during the 12 months preceding the survey, 35.9% of high school students had been in a physical fight and 8.4% had attempted suicide. Substantial morbidity and social problems among youth also result from unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection. During 2005, a total of 46.8% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse, 37.2% of sexually active high school students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse, and 2.1% had ever injected an illegal drug. Among adults aged ≥ 25 years, 61% of all deaths result from 2 causes: cardiovascular disease and cancer. Results from the 2005 national YRBS indicated that risk behaviors associated with these 2 causes of death were initiated during adolescence. During 2005, a total of 23.0% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey, 79.9% had not eaten ≥ 5 times/day of fruits and vegetables during the 7 days preceding the survey, 67.0% did not attend physical education classes daily, and 13.1% were overweight. (J Sch Health. 2006;76(7):353-372), In the United States, 71% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years result from 4 causes: motorvehicle crashes (31%), other unintentional injuries (14%), homicide (15%), and [...]

In the United States, 70.8% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes (32.3%), other unintentional injuries (11.7%), homicide (15.1%), [...]

ABSTRACT: This study analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000 to examine the relationship between school health councils and selected school health policies and programs. [...]

To understand the relationship between demographic characteristics of schools and school health policies and programs, this study analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000. SHPPS 2000 provides nationally representative data on eight components of school health. Data were collected from school faculty and staff using onsite, computer-assisted personal interviews, then linked with extant data on school characteristics. Results from a series of regression analyses indicated that the presence of most policies and programs examined differed according to school type (public, private, or Catholic), urbanicity, school enrollment size, per-pupil expenditure, percentage of White students and, among high schools, percentage of college-bound students. No one type of school, however, was more likely than another type to have all key aspects of a school health program in place. Regardless of school characteristics, all schools are capable of implementing quality school health programs. (J Sch Health. 2003;73(4):143-149), School health programs can play a critical role in reducing health-risk behavior and promoting healthy behavior among young people. Allensworth and Kolbe described eight components of a comprehensive school health [...]

To help assess the quality of the questionnaires developed for the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted a data quality substudy in conjunction with SHPPS 2000. The substudy assessed validity of the state- and district-level questionnaires through telephone interviews with a subsample of the original state- and district-level respondents, and the test-retest reliability of the school- and classroom-level questionnaires through computer-assisted repeat interviews with a subsample of the school- and classroom-level respondents. Results indicated that although a few threats to the validity of responses to the state- and district-level questionnaires were identified, the questionnaires generally produced valid data. Among the school- and classroom-level questionnaires, some questions demonstrated poor reliability, but most exhibited moderate or substantial reliability, and some exhibited almost perfect reliability. CDC will use these results to revise the SHPPS 2000 questionnaires and will consider alternative methods of data collection to improve the quality of data collected in future versions of SHPPS. (J Sch Health. 2003;73(1):29-37), Between January and July 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000, the most comprehensive assessment of school health [...]

Television (TV) viewing has been associated with overweight, decreased physical activity, and unhealthy dietary behavior among children and adolescents, and may represent a modifiable cause of childhood obesity. This study examined race, ethnic, and gender-specific differences in these associations among high school students in the United States. The study analyzed data from the 1999 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a representative sample (N = 15,349) of US high school students. Logistic regression tested for significant associations. TV viewing on an average school day exceeded 2 hours/day among 43% of students; it was greater among Black (74%) and Hispanic (52%) than White (34%) students. Overall, 11% of students were overweight, 31% of students were sedentary (ie, did not participate in moderate or vigorous physical activity at recommended levels), and 76% ate less than five servings/day of fruits and vegetables. Watching TV more than 2 hours/day was associated with being overweight, being sedentary, and eating insufficient fruits and vegetables among White females, and with being overweight among Hispanic females. No significant associations were found among Black females. TV viewing was associated with being overweight and eating insufficient fruits and vegetables among White males. No significant associations were found among Hispanic males. Among Black males, TV viewing was associated with greater participation in physical activity. These findings suggest the presence of cultural factors to consider when developing interventions to promote physical activity, healthy eating, and healthy weight through reduced TV viewing among adolescents., Childhood obesity has more than doubled over the past 20 years, and it represents the most prevalent nutritional disease among youth in the United States. (1,2) Among children and adolescents, [...]

Priority health-risk behaviors, which contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults, often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. This report covers data during February-December 2001. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults; these behaviors contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC as well as state, territorial, and local school-based surveys conducted by education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 34 state surveys, and 18 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9-12 during February-December 2001. In the United States, approximately three-fourths of all deaths among persons aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 2001 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrated that numerous high school students engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from these four causes: 14.1% had rarely or never worn a seat belt during the 30 days preceding the survey; 30.7% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol; 17.4% had carried a weapon during the 30 days preceding the survey; 47.1% had drunk alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey; 23.9% had used marijuana during the 30 days preceding the survey; and 8.8% had attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Substantial morbidity and social problems among young persons also result from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. In 2001, 45.6% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse; 42.1% of sexually active students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse; and 2.3% had ever injected an illegal drug. Two-thirds of all deaths among persons aged ≥ 25 years result from only two causes: cardiovascular disease and cancer. The majority of risk behaviors associated with these two causes of death are initiated during adolescence. In 2001, 28.5% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey; 78.6% had not eaten ≥ 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables during the 7 days preceding the survey; 10.5% were overweight; and 67.8% did not attend physical education class daily. Health and education officials at national, state, and local levels are using these YRBSS data to analyze and improve policies and programs to reduce priority health-risk behaviors among youth. The YRBSS data also are being used to measure progress toward achieving 16 national health objectives for 2010 and 3 of the 10 leading health indicators., In the United States, 70.6% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes (31.4%), other unintentional injuries (12%), homicide (15.3%), [...]

To monitor behaviors that place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). This system measures six categories of behaviors, including behaviors that contribute to violence and unintentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and inadequate physical activity. This article summarizes how some education and health agencies and nongovernmental organizations, in collaboration with community agencies, school boards, parents, and youth, use YRBSS data to describe risk behaviors, create awareness, supplement staff development, set and monitor program goals, develop health education programs, support health-related legislation, and seek funding. Ways in which YRBSS data are distributed electronically also are summarized. (J Sch Health. 2002;72(1):13-17), In 1989, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) to monitor behaviors that place adolescents most at risk for premature morbidity [...]

Priority health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and social problems among youth and adults often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity. The YRBSS includes both a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 35 state surveys, and 16 local surveys conducted among high school students from February through May 1995. In the United States, 72% of all deaths among school-age youth and young adults result from four causes: motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 1995 YRBSS suggest that many high school students practice behaviors that may increase their likelihood of death from these four causes: 21.7% had rarely or never used a safety belt, 38.8% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey, 20.0% had carried a weapon during the 30 days preceding the survey, 51.6% had drunk alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey, 25.3% had used marijuana during the 30 days preceding the survey, and 8.7% had attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Substantial morbidity and social problems among school-age youth and young adults also result from unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection. YRBSS results indicate that in 1995, 53.1% of high school students had experienced sexual intercourse, 45.6% of sexually active students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse, and 2.0% had ever injected an illegal drug. Among adults, 65% of all deaths result from three causes: heart disease, cancer, and stroke. Most of the risk behaviors associated with these causes of death are initiated during adolescence. In 1995, 34.8% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey, 39.5% had eaten more than two servings of foods typically high in fat content during the day preceding the survey, and only 25.4% had attended physical education class daily. YRBSS data are being used nationwide by health and education officials to improve national, state, and local policies and programs designed to reduce risks associated with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. YRBSS data also are being used to measure progress toward achieving 21 national health objectives and one of eight National Education Goals. (J Sch Health. 1996;66 (10):365-377), In the United States, 72% of all deaths among youth and young adults ages 5-24 result from only four causes: motor vehicle crashes (28% of all deaths in this age [...]

States school districts and schools recognize the integral role of food service in their health programs. The means of providing adequate nutrition for students are dictated from the state level through food preparation guidelines, which are sadly not followed consistently in all schools. A main concern for most schools is the reduction of fat in most meals they serve. Meanwhile, some schools rely on services provided by fast food restaurants or allow vending machines to supplement school meals., The link between diet and health is well established. Diets high in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol and low in fiber, fruits, and vegetables increase risk for heart disease, cancer, [...]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has systematized its research methods for assessing the way health programs are implemented in schools across the US. The School Health Policies and Programs Study identifies management and service efforts in schools regarding the individual aspects of health promotion, including counseling, food service and physical education. The study found support for such programs at the state level that may be hampered by the lack of coordination and training among those directly implementing the programs in schools., The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), conducted in 1994 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), provides the first in-depth description of policies and programs related [...]

Most states have policies for prohibiting the use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs in schools. While these substances are related to levels of violence in the school environment, schools have varying policies regarding the use of these substances in their campuses. The extent of implementation may be related to local resources, since not all school districts have specific guidelines for health policies and most leadership assistance is addressed towards the use of alcohol and drugs but not on tobacco and violent behavior., Schools are no longer a safe haven from many of society's problems. Students and staff may be exposed to tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, and violence in or [...]

Health promotion has been included as one of the desired outcomes of formal education in the United States at least since 1918 when the Commission on the Reorganization of Secondary [...]

When health services first became part of the school program at the end of the 19th century, its primary role was communicable disease control.(1) Changes in society, health care delivery, [...]

Only by knowing where we are can we determine where to go and how best to get there. This simple philosophy motivated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [...]

The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) is the first study to examine school health policies and programs for multiple components of the school health program[1,2] at the state, [...]

Priority health risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of mortality, morbidity, and social problems among youth and adults often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health risk behaviors among youth and youth adults: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries, tobacco use, alcohol and other drug use, sexual behaviors, dietary behaviors, and physical activity. The YRBSS includes a national, school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 24 state surveys, and nine local surveys conducted among high school students during February through May 1993. In the United States, 72% of all deaths among school-age youth and young adults are from four causes: motor vehicle crashes, other intentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 1993 YRBSS suggest many high school students practice behaviors that may increase their likelihood of death from these four causes: 19.1% rarely or never use a safety belt, 35.3% had ridden during the 30 days preceding the survey with a driver who had been drinking alcohol, 22.1% had carried a weapon during the 30 days preceding the survey, 80.9% ever drank alcohol, 32.8% ever used marijuana, and 8.6% had attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Substantial morbidity and social problems among adolescents also result from unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases including HIV infection, YRBSS results indicate that in 1993, 53% of high school students had experienced sexual intercourse, 52.8% of sexually active students had used a condom during last sexual intercourse, and 1.4% ever injected an illegal drug. Among adults, 67% of all deaths are from three causes: heart disease, cancer, and stroke. In 1993, many high school students practiced behaviors that may increase the risk for these health problems: 30.5% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey, only 15.4% had eaten five or more servings of fruits and vegetables during the day preceding the survey, and only 34.3% had attended physical education class daily. YRBSS data are being used nationwide by health and education officials to improve school health policies and programs designed to reduce risks associated with the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. At the national level, YRBSS data are being used to measure progress toward achieving 26 national health objectives and one of eight National Education Goals. (J Sch Health. 1995;65(5):163-171), In the United States, 72% of all deaths among school-age youth and young adults ages 5-24 are from only four causes: motor vehicle crashes (30% of all deaths in this [...]

The secondary School Student Health Risk Survey measured the prevalence of sexual intercourse and illegal drug injection among a national probability sample of U.S. high school students and assessed their HIV-related knowledge and beliefs. Ninety-nine (81%) of the 122 selected schools and 8,098 (83%) of the eligible students participated. Nearly all high school students knew the major modes of HIV transmission. Three percent reported injecting illegal drugs, and 1% reported sharing needles used to inject drugs. In addition, 59% of students reported having sexual intercourse and, of students who reported having sexual intercourse, 40% reported having four or more sexual partners. HIV-related knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors among high school students suggest the need for school-based HIV education programs that help young people acquire the knowledge and skills to adopt and maintain behaviors that reduce risk of HIV infection and other related health problems., As of September 30, 1991, 195,718 cases of AIDS had been reported to the Centers for Disease Control. Of these cases, 0.4% or 659 occurred among 13- to 19-year-olds and [...]

To monitor behaviors which place adolescents at increased risk for premature morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS). The YRBSS measures six categories of behaviors: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection; dietary behaviors; and physical activity. This article summarizes how some education agencies, in collaboration with health agencies, community agencies, school boards, parents, and youth are using YRBSS data to describe risk behaviors, create awareness, set program goals, develop programs, support health-related legislation, and seek funding. (J Sch Health. 1997; 67(8):333-335), To monitor behaviors which place adolescents most at risk for premature morbidity and mortality, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) [...]

Both the public health and education sectors have recognized the importance of school health education. Objective 7-2 of Healthy People 2010 is to 'Increase the proportion of middle, junior high, [...]

The School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) 2000 examines eight components of the school health program: health education, physical education and activity, health services, mental health and social services, [...]

Since 1987, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has funded states, territories, and large urban school districts to help schools implement effective programs to prevent HIV infection. Since [...]

To examine recent trends in physical education (PE) enrollment, daily attendance in PE, and being physically active in PE among high school students in the United States, this study analyzed data from the 1991, 1993, 1995, and 1997 national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (n=55, 734). Logistic regression analyses were conducted to test for significant linear time trends among the total student population and demographic subgroups (gender, race/ethnicity, and grade). Although PE enrollment in the total student population did not change from 1991 (48.9%) to 1997 (48.8%), the prevalence of students who attended PE daily, and the prevalence of students who were physically active [is greater than] 20 minutes in an average PE class both decreased significantly among nearly all demographic subgroups. The prevalence of students who were physically active [gretaer than] 20 minutes in daily PE classes decreased from 34.2% in 1991 to 21.7% in 1997 (p [is less than] 0.001). To reverse current trends, high schools should implement daily PE classes that emphasize participation in lifelong health-related physical activity for all students. (J Sch Health. 2001 ;71 (4): 145-152), Regular physical activity enhances health and reduces the risk for all-cause mortality and the development of many chronic diseases among adults.[1-4] Although children and adolescents are generally more active than [...]

Priority health-risk behaviors, which contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults, often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults -- behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection); unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC as well as state, territorial, and local school-based surveys conducted by education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 33 state surveys, and 16 local surveys conducted among high school students during February through May 1999. In the United States, approximately three fourths of all deaths among persons aged 10-24 years result from only four causes: motor-vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 1999 national Youth Risk Behavior Survey demonstrate that numerous high school students engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from these four causes -- 16.4% had rarely or never worn a seat belt; during the 30 days preceding the survey, 33.1% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol; 17.3% had carried a weapon during the 30 days preceding the survey; 50. 0% had drunk alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey; 26.7% had used marijuana during the 30 days preceding the survey; and 7.8% had attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Substantial morbidity and social problems among young persons also result from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. In 1999, nationwide, 49.9% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse; 42.0% of sexually active students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse; and 1.8% had ever injected an illegal drug. Two thirds of all deaths among persons aged [is greater than or equal to] 25 years result from only two causes -- cardiovascular disease and cancer. The majority of risk behaviors associated with these two causes of death are initiated during adolescence. In 1999, 34.8% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey; 76.1% had not eaten [is greater than or equal to] 5 servings/day of fruits and vegetables during the 7 days preceding the survey; 16.0% were at risk for becoming overweight; and 70.9% did not attend physical education class daily. These YRBSS data are already being used by health and education officials at national, state, and local levels to analyze and improve policies and programs to reduce priority health-risk behaviors among youth. The YRBSS data also are being used to measure progress toward achieving 16 national health objectives for 2010 and 3 of the 10 leading health indicators. (J Sch Health. 2000;70(7):271-285), In the United States, 72% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years result from only 4 causes -- motor-vehicle crashes (31%), other unintentional injuries (11%), homicide [...]

Alternative high schools serve approximately 280,000 students nationwide who are at high risk for failing or dropping out of regular high school or who have been expelled from regular high school because of illegal activity or behavioral problems. Such settings provide important opportunities for delivering health promotion education and services to these youth and young adults. However, before this survey, the prevalence of health-risk behaviors among students attending alternative high schools nationwide was unknown. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors the following six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults: behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection); unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The national Alternative High School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (ALT-YRBS) is one component of the YRBSS; it was conducted in 1998 to measure priority health-risk behaviors among students at alternative high schools. The 1998 ALT-YRBS used a three-stage cluster sample design to produce a nationally representative sample of students in grades 9-12 in the United States who attend alternative high schools. The school response rate was 81.0%, and the student response rate was 81.9%, resulting in an overall response rate of 66.3%. This report summarizes results from the 1998 ALT-YRBS. The reporting period is February - May 1998. In the United States, 73.6% of all deaths among youth and young adults aged 10-24 years results from only four causes -- motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the 1998 ALT-YRBS demonstrate that many students at alternative high schools engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from these four causes. During the 30 days preceding the survey, 51.9% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol 25.1% had driven a vehicle after drinking alcohol, 32.9% had carried a weapon, 64.5% had drunk alcohol, and 53.0% had used marijuana. During the 12 months preceding the survey, 15.7% had attempted suicide, and 29.0% had rarely or never worn a seat belt. Substantial morbidity among school-aged youth and young adults also results from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. ALT-YRBS results indicate that in 1998, a total of 87.8% of students at alternative high schools had had sexual intercourse, 54.1% of sexually active students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse, and 5.7% had ever injected an illegal drug. Among adults aged [is greater than or equal to] 25 years, 66.5% of all deaths result from two causes -- cardiovascular disease and cancer. Most risk behaviors associated with these causes of death are initiated during adolescence. In 1998, a total of 64.1% of students at alternative high schools had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey, 38.3% had smoked a cigar during the 30 days preceding the survey, 71.2% had not eaten [is greater than or equal to] 5 servings of fruits and vegetables during the day preceding the survey, and 81.0% had not attended physical education (PE) class daily. Comparing ALT-YRBS results with 1997 national YRBS results demonstrates that the prevalence of most risk behaviors is higher among students attending alternative high schools compared with students at regular high schools. Some risk behaviors are more common among certain sex and racial/ethnic subgroups of students. ALT-YRBS data can be used nationwide by health and education officials to improve policies and programs designed to reduce risk behaviors associated with the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among students attending alternative high schools. (J Sch Health. 2000;70(1):5-17), Approximately 2.0% (280,000) of all high school students are enrolled in the nation's 1,390 alternative high schools, which serve students who are at risk for failing or dropping out of [...]

To determine if school violence is associated with substance use and availability of illegal drugs at school, this study examined data from the 1995 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative sample of 10,904 high school students. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to describe the associations of tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana use (on and off school property), and availability of illegal drugs at school with five indicators of school violence -- weapon-carrying, physical fighting, having property stolen or damaged, being threatened or injured, and being absent from school because of feeling unsafe. School violence indicators increased with the number of substances used and the location of use (on school property vs. off school property). School violence was associated with availability of illegal drugs at school, even among students who did not use substances. These findings suggest a need for coordinated violence and substance use prevention programs for youth in school and community settings. (J Sch Health. 1999;69(9):347-355), Interpersonal violence and substance use are major contributors to premature death, disability, and social problems among youth in the United States.[1-4] Homicide ranks as the second-leading cause of death among [...]

This study provides a qualitative analysis of responses from classroom-, school-, district-, and state-level educators and administrators to open-ended questions about school health education. These questions were posed as part of the School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS), conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1994, and elicited a range of responses about the status of school health education programs and factors that facilitated and hindered the delivery of such programs. To improve school health education in the United States, respondents cited the need to increase the value and priority of health education in the school curriculum and advocated for 1) professional preparation in health education for persons teaching health-related courses, 2) health education course curricula to address important and timely issues, 3) student testing in health education, 4) improved resources and support for health education, and 5) increased communication and collaboration within their schools and communities related to health education. (J Sch Health. 1999;69(7):258-263), The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) conducted the first national School Health Policies and Programs Study (SHPPS) in 1994. SHPPS was designed to measure policies and programs at [...]

Establishing a System of Complementary School-based Surveys to Annually Assess HIV-related Knowledge, Beliefs, and Behaviors Among Adolescents ABSTRACT: The Division of Adolescent and School Health, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention [...]

Priority health-risk behaviors, which contribute to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among youth and adults, often are established during youth, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated. The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults -- behaviors that contribute to unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (including human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection); unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. The YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state, territorial, and local school-based surveys conducted by education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the national survey, 33 state surveys, 3 territorial surveys, and 17 local surveys conducted among high school students from February through May 1997. In the United States, 73% of all deaths among youth and young adults 10-24 years of age result from only four causes: motor vehicle crashes, other unintentional injuries, homicide, and suicide. Results from the national 1997 YRBSS demonstrate that many high school students engage in behaviors that increase their likelihood of death from these four causes -- 19.3% had rarely or never worn a seat belt; during the 30 days preceding the survey, 36.6% had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol; 18.3% had carried a weapon during the 30 days preceding the survey; 50.8% had drunk alcohol during the 30 days preceding the survey; 26.2% had used marijuana during the 30 days preceding the survey; and 7.7% had attempted suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. Substantial morbidity among school-age youth, young adults, and their children also result from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. YRBSS results indicate that in 1997, 48.4% of high school students had ever had sexual intercourse; 43.2% of sexually active students had not used a condom at last sexual intercourse; and 2.1% had ever injected an illegal drug. Of all deaths and substantial morbidity among adults greater than or equal to 25 years of age, 67% result from two causes -- cardiovascular disease and cancer. Most of the risk behaviors associated with these causes of death are initiated during adolescence. In 1997, 36.4% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days preceding the survey; 70.7% had not eaten five or more servings of fruits and vegetables during the day preceding the survey; and 72.6% had not attended physical education class daily. These YRBSS data are already being used by health and education officials to improve national, state, and local policies and programs to reduce risks associated with the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. YRBSS data also are being used to measure progress toward achieving 21 national health objectives and one of the eight National Education Goals. (J Sch Health. 1998;68(9):355-369), In the United States, 73% of all deaths among youth and young adults 10-24 years of age result from only four causes -- motor vehicle crashes (30%), other unintentional injuries [...]