Healthy and Risky Behaviors



Healthy and Risky Behaviors







QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD



  • The National Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey is conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) each year.


  • The survey collects data on several behaviors, including nutrition and exercise; use of tobacco products, alcohol, and illicit drugs; and sexual behavior.


  • Compared to 10 years ago, consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables, exercise, binge drinking, and smoking are down among adolescents, whereas riding in a car with a friend who had been drinking is up.



TERMS



  • Alcohol


  • Drugs


  • Healthy People 2010


  • Nutrition


The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has a national health promotion and disease prevention campaign called Healthy People 2010. Objectives are set for 10-year periods; those relevant to school-age children and adolescents are shown in Table 56-1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regularly conduct a nationwide Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey among more than 10,000 students in grades 9 to 12. The data cited in this chapter compare the 1995 and 2005 reports (updated as of April 2007). Data are from 2005 unless noted otherwise.



image The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regularly conducts a nationwide Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey among more than 10,000 students in grades 9 to 12. The data cited in this chapter compare the 1995 and 2005 reports (updated as of April 2007). Data are from 2005 unless noted otherwise.


NUTRITION AND EXERCISE

Boys have higher caloric needs than girls because boys have a greater proportion of lean body mass to adipose tissue. A rapidly growing athletic 15-year-old boy may need as many as 4000 calories per day just to maintain his weight. By contrast, an inactive 15-year-old girl, whose growth is almost completed, may need fewer than 2000 calories a day to avoid gaining weight. Half of adult bone structure is deposited during adolescence, requiring 1200 mg of calcium per day.



image In 2005, 16% of boys and 10% of girls were considered overweight (based on BMI ≥ 95th percentile by age and gender), with the greatest prevalence among Hispanic males (21.3%) and black females (16%).

In 1995, 27% of adolescents ate the five or more recommended servings of fresh fruits and vegetables (foods rich in calcium, iron, and vitamins) in a 24-hour period; in 2005, only 20% did so. In 1995,
boys (32%) ate more fruits and vegetables than girls (22.7%) did; in 2005, that was still true, but the total percentages had decreased for both genders, to 21.4% and 18.3% respectively. Boys simply eat more food, although they are less likely to consider themselves overweight (25%) than girls (38%). In 2005, 16% of boys and 10% of girls were considered overweight (based on BMI ≥ 95th percentile by age and gender), with the greatest prevalence among Hispanic males (21.3%) and black females (16%).








Table 56-1 Healthy People 2010 Baselines and Targets, Grades 9-12

Baseline (year)

Target 2010


Tobacco Products


Adolescents who used any tobacco products in past month

40% (1999)

21%


Adolescents who used cigarettes in past month

35% (1999)

16%


Alcohol and Drugs


High school seniors who have never used alcohol

19% (1998)

24%


High school seniors who have never used illicit substances

46% (1998)

56%


Adolescents who rode in a car with a driver who had been drinking alcohol

33% (1999)

30%


Adolescents who used marijuana in past 30 days

8.2% (2002)

0.7%


Adolescents who engaged in binge drinking in past 2 weeks

32% (1998)

11%


Adolescents who have not used alcohol or illicit substances in past 30 days

78% (2002)

91%


Exercise and Nutrition


Adolescents who engage in regular activity, either moderate or vigorous

32% (1997)

50%


Adolescents who are overweight/obese

16% (2002)

5%

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Oct 17, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Healthy and Risky Behaviors

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