Premium
Use of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey to Monitor Trends for Nutrition and Physical Activity in a Midwest City School District *
Author(s) -
Edwards Jane U.,
Magel Rhonda
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of school health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.851
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1746-1561
pISSN - 0022-4391
DOI - 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2007.00219.x
Subject(s) - youth risk behavior survey , overweight , overtime , school district , demography , environmental health , medicine , physical activity , psychology , poison control , injury prevention , obesity , physical therapy , pedagogy , sociology , political science , law
Background: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was used by a city school district (∼11,000 students) in the upper Midwest to monitor trends for nutrition and physical activity (PA) behaviors both within and between years and to compare with national 2003 data. Methods: Independent random samples were obtained in 1999 (387 middle school [MS] and 931 high school [HS]), in 2001 (322 MS and 367 HS), and in 2003 (658 MS and 1026 HS). A two‐sample test of proportions was used. Results: Within each survey year, a higher proportion of MS compared to HS reported positive behaviors with some exceptions: (1) an increased proportion of HS having daily physical education (PE) and (2) a reduced proportion of HS reporting media time. Within 2003, a lower proportion of district females compared to males (MS and HS) reported participation in many measured behaviors. District trends overtime indicated a reduced proportion: (1) drinking milk (MS and HS), (2) eating breakfast (HS), and (3) watching television (MS). Trends overtime indicated an increased proportion: (1) using computers for fun (MS and HS), (2) participating in moderate PA (MS), and (3) daily PE (HS). District HS compared to national (2003) indicated a higher proportion: (1) drinking milk, (2) getting moderate PA, and (3) taking daily PE. District HS compared to national indicated a lower proportion: (1) at risk of overweight, (2) overweight, and (3) watching television. Conclusions: Analysis of district YRBS trends provides both a database for informed decisions by the school district and an assessment model for other districts.