South Carolina High School Students Show Improvement in Some Health Risk Areas, But Concerns Remain

Strategic Insights -

In a survey conducted every two years in South Carolina high schools since 1991 and in middle schools since 2005, 1,100 high school students and 1,325 middle school students were asked about risk factors that are the most frequent causes of social problems, illness, and premature death among young people. The survey, developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reveals improvements in some areas, but concerns about high school students who use tobacco or alcohol and engage in sexual intercourse remain.

Key Takeaways:

  • The percentage of high school students who use tobacco products has decreased significantly from 41.5% in 1999 to 27% in 2009, with cigarette smoking still affecting one in five high school students.
  • Teen drinking has decreased by 10 percentage points from 1999, with 35% of high school students consuming alcohol in the previous month, indicating that underage drinking remains an issue.
  • Almost 40% of high school students engaged in sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey, and more than one in six high school students experienced physical abuse from a romantic partner.
  • The percentage of high school students who are overweight or obese increased from 24% in 1999 to 32% in 2009, primarily due to reduced physical activity, increased sedentary behaviors, and poor nutritional choices.
  • High school students face significant challenges, including physical inactivity, poor eating habits, and behaviors that result in intentional and unintentional injuries.
  • Delores Pluto, survey coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Education, recommends strengthening district wellness policies to provide more opportunities for students to develop healthy habits and learn how to make healthy choices.

Statistics:

  • 32% of high school students were overweight or obese in 2009.
  • The percentage of high school students participating in physical education classes was 32% in 2009.
  • 40% of high school students watched three or more hours of television on an average school day in 2009.
  • 15% of high school students ate fruits and/or vegetables five or more times in the week before the survey in 2009.
  • 27% of high school students used tobacco products in the 30 days prior to the survey in 2009.
  • 35% of high school students consumed alcohol in the previous month in 2009.
  • One in five high school students smoke cigarettes, and almost 40% of high school students engaged in sexual intercourse in the three months prior to the survey.

Sources:

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • South Carolina Department of Education
  • U.S. Surgeon General
  • SC Healthy Schools page on the Web site
  • Delores Pluto, survey coordinator for the South Carolina Department of Education