Health & Parenting

Survey Reveals Rx Drug Abuse by Teens

Risky Teen Behavior continued...

The survey also showed that many high school students engage in behaviors that are associated with the leading causes of death among adults 25 and over. In 2009:

• 19.5% of high school students had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey.
• 77.7% had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times a day in the seven-day period before the survey.
• On all seven days before being surveyed, 29.2% had drunk sodas at least once daily; 81.6% had not been physically active for at least an hour.
• One-third of the students attended physical education classes daily, but 12% were still obese.

The study said that since 1991, the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors among high school students had decreased, but that many continue to engage in activities or behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of death and sickness.

The researchers conclude that their findings indicate a need for monitoring of behaviors of high school students.