Health-Risk Behaviors Improve Among RI Youth, 1997-2003; Health and Education Departments Release Trend Results

Rhode Island Department of Health

3 Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908
Phone: (401) 222-2231
Fax: (401) 222-6548
711(TTY)

Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: June 15, 2004
Contact: Robert Marshall Ph.D. RI Dept of Health (401) 222-1017
Elliot Krieger, RI Dept of Education, (401) 222-4600, Ext. 2182

Health-Risk Behaviors Improve Among RI Youth, 1997-2003; Health and Education Departments Release Trend Results

The Rhode Island Departments of Health (HEALTH) and Education (RIDE) released preliminary results today from the 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS monitors health-risk behaviors that contribute to death, disease, injury and other health problems among RI youth. Overall, 1,814 randomly selected public high school students (grades 9 through 12), a representative state sample, responded to the survey in the spring of 2003. By comparing the 2003 results with those from the 1997 and 2001 surveys, state and local officials can monitor trends in the health-risk behaviors of RI youth.

"Tracking changes in health-related behaviors over time helps us evaluate program performance and focus efforts on adolescents with greater risk," said Patricia A. Nolan, MD, MPH, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. "The 2003 Survey shows that Rhode Island youth significantly reduced risky behaviors in 12 key areas since 1997." (See attached table) "The efforts of schools, communities and public health agencies are really paying off. We still have a lot more to do to promote healthy and safe behaviors among Rhode Island youth!"

The preliminary report presents 38 different indicators of behavioral health risks among RI adolescents including injury and violence, tobacco use, alcohol and drug use, sexual behavior, weight management and diet and physical activity. Twelve (12) key health behaviors showed significant improvement over time. In all but one instance (smoked one day in past month on school property), RI adolescents also performed above the national average. Only three areas (HIV/AIDS education, moderate physical exercise, and milk consumption) showed a negative trend with no significant change in 23 other indicators.

"I’m glad to see that Rhode Island youth are above the national average in many of these health indicators, but we still have our work cut out for us," said Peter McWalters, R.I. Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. "Schools are well positioned to help students learn about health issues and to support their making healthy choices. Through programs such as Healthy Schools! Healthy Kids!, Child Opportunity Zones, and 21st Century Community Learning Centers, we can provide a safe, healthy, and nurturing school environment."

The 2003 Youth Risk Behavior Survey was sponsored by the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 50 states, territories and municipalities nationwide. School-level information about health-risk behaviors is published under "School Climate" at www.infoworks.ride.uri.edu

Youth Health Risk Behaviors Displaying Improving Statewide Trends* Rhode Island YRBS, 1997-2003 vs. United States YRBS, 2003
Risk Behaviors	Percentage of Public High School Students
	RI			US 2003
	1997	2001	2003
In past month, rode in a vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.	35.9	32.3	28.2	30.2
Never or rarely wear a seatbelt when riding in a car.	32.7	17.9	15.6	18.2
Were in a physical fight in past year.	35.2	31.4	27.6	33.0
Carried a weapon (gun, knife, or club) in past month.	17.7	11.3	12.3	17.1
Smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past month.	35.4	24.8	19.3	21.9
Used any tobacco (cigarettes, smokeless, or cigars) on at least one day in the past month.	No Data	29.2	23.4	27.5
Drank alcohol on at least one day in the past month.	52.2	50.3	44.5	44.9
Used inhalants (glue, aerosol or other sprays, paint) to get high one or more times during their life.	20.7	11.8	9.6	12.1
Among students having sexual intercourse in the past 3 months, those that did not use a condom during last sexual intercourse.	47.6	43.9	37.0	37.0
Vomited or took laxatives to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight in the past month.	6.1	4.7	4.1	6.0
Smoked cigarettes on at least one day in the past month on school property.	20.4	14.0	9.1	8.0
Among students currently enrolled in physical education, those that exercised or played sports for 20 minutes or less in an average class.	33.2	22.2	16.9	19.7

Youth Health Risk Behaviors Displaying Worsening Statewide Trends* Rhode Island YRBS, 1997-2003 vs. United States YRBS, 2003
Risk Behaviors	Percentage of Public High School Students
	RI			US 2003
	1997	2001	2003
Did not drink three or more glasses of milk per day in the past week.	No Data	76.9	80.7	82.9
Had insufficient moderate physical activity in the past week**	No Data	70.8	77.7	75.3
Are unsure about being taught or had never been taught about AIDS and HIV infection in school.	5.0	9.6	8.4	12.1

* Statistically significant
** Moderate physical exercise – participate in activities that do not make you sweat and breathe hard for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days in the past week.

Youth Health Risk Behaviors Displaying No Significant Statewide Trends in Any Direction Rhode Island YRBS, 1997-2003 vs. United States YRBS, 2003
Risk Behaviors in Any Setting	Percentage of Public High School Students			US 2003
	RI
	1997	2001	2003
In the past year, felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing some usual activities.	No Data	25.7	24.3	28.6
Attempted suicide in the past year	9.6	8.1	8.3	8.5
Used marijuana one or more times in their life.	47.0	48.3	44.2	40.2
Used marijuana on at least one day in the past month.	28.7	33.2	27.6	22.4
Used any form of cocaine (powder, crack, freebase) one or more times in their life.	7.0	9.9	6.2	8.7
Ever had sexual intercourse in their life.	42.7	45.9	44.3	46.7
Had sexual intercourse with one or more people in the past 3 months.	31.1	36.1	31.1	34.3
Had been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant one or more times.	5.8	6.2	3.7	4.2
Are overweight	No Data	9.2	9.8	13.5
Are at risk for becoming overweight	No Data	14.2	14.5	15.4
Described themselves as overweight.	29.2	30.8	30.1	29.6
Were trying to lose weight.	43.2	42.0	44.3	43.8
Went without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight in the past month.	No Data	11.5	10.7	13.3
Did not eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables per day in the past week.	No Data	72.6	71.6	78.0
Had insufficient vigorous physical activity in the past week	38.3	33.9	37.8	37.4
Watched 3 or more hours of TV per day on an average school day.	No Data	34.1	31.9	38.2
Risk Behaviors Related to School, School Property, or Travel to and from School
Did not go to school on one or more days in the past month because they felt unsafe at school or to and from school.	5.8	10.3	5.8	5.4
Carried a weapon (gun, knife, club) in the past month.	7.5	4.5	5.9	6.1
Threatened or injured with a weapon (gun, knife, club) one or more times in the past year.	8.2	8.6	8.2	9.2
Were in a physical fight one or more times in the past year.	13.6	12.7	11.4	12.8
Used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more days in the past month.	3.6	3.0	3.0	5.9
Had at least one drink of alcohol in the past month.	7.3	8.3	4.6	5.2
Were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug in the past year.	29.4	30.9	26.0	28.7
Used marijuana one or more times in the past month.	9.1	10.9	7.4	5.8

Overweight – greater than or equal to 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex, based on reference data. At risk for becoming overweight – greater than or equal to 85th percentile but less than 95th percentile for body mass index, by age and sex, based on reference data.

Overweight and risk for overweight percentages may be underestimated as they are based on self-reported weight and height.

Vigorous physical exercise – participate in activities that make you sweat and breathe hard for at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days in the past week.

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