Youth Risk Behavior Survey Trends for Timberline Middle School

Youth Risk Behavior Survey Trends for Timberline Middle School

INTRODUCTION

This report was prepared for Timberland Middle School (MS). The findings presented in this report compare Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results between two time points, 2001 and 2005. The YRBS is a national survey developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to measure adolescent health behaviors (e.g., behaviors that lead to unintentional injuries and violence, tobacco use, or sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy).^{^[1]}

This report looks at prevalence and patterns of youth health and risk behaviors at Timberland Middle School. Specifically, the report answers the question, “Have middle school behaviors changed significantly over the five year period?” In 2001, 955 middle school students (grades 6^th – 8^th) completed a YRBS questionnaire. In 2003 and in 2005, 962 and 1,109 middle school students, respectively, completed a YRBS questionnaire. Participation in the YRBS was voluntary and anonymous so as to encourage honest disclosure by students. Consistency checks were run on the data to exclude careless, invalid or logically inconsistent answers.

Data in Table 1, below, provides descriptive information on the students participating in the surveys in 2001, 2003, and 2005. Overall, there are no obvious or significant differences between the students completing the surveys in 2001, 2003, and 2005.

Table 1. Demographic characteristics of Timberlane MS survey participants

Gender	Grade	Race
2001
48% girls (n=461) 52% boys (n=494)	34% 6^th grade (n=324) 30% 7^th grade (n=288) 36% 8^th grade (n=339)	93% White (n=872) 7% Other race/ethnicity (n=67)
2003
51% girls (n=493) 49% boys (n=475)	32% 6^th grade (n=308) 35% 7^th grade (n=338) 33% 8^th grade (n=321)	91% White (n=878) 9% Other race/ethnicity (n=84)
2005
48% girls (n=534) 52% boys (n=569)	33% 6^th grade (n=359) 33% 7^th grade (n=367) 34% 8^th grade (n=375)	92% White (n=1016) 8% Other race/ethnicity (n=84)

SUMMARY OF TREND FINDINGS

Behaviors That Contribute to Unintentional Injuries or Violence (Table 2)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, many of the behaviors contributing to unintentional injuries or violence decreased significantly among Timberlane MS students. See findings below.

Wearing a Seat Belt in a Car. In 2001, 11% of the students surveyed reported never or rarely wearing a seat belt. In 2003 and 2005, 9% and 8%, respectively, of the students surveyed reported never or rarely wearing a seat belt in a car. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Wearing a Helmet When Riding a Bicycle or Rollerblading. In 2001, 47% of the students surveyed reported never or rarely wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle. In 2003 and 2005, 49% and 54%, respectively, of the students reported never or rarely wearing a helmet while riding a bicycle. The increase (+7%) in this behavior is statistically significant. Changes in the percentage of students never or rarely wearing a helmet when rollerblading are not statistically significant.

Riding in a Car Driven by Someone Drinking. In 2001, 30% of the students surveyed reported riding in car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol. In 2003 and 2005, 22% and 28%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-2%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Carrying a Weapon. In 2001, 33% of the students surveyed reported carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club. In 2003 and 2005, 26% and 30%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Fighting and Injured in a Fight. In 2001, 54% of the students surveyed reported having been in a physical fight. In 2003 and 2005, 48% and 51%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant. Changes in the percentage of students injured in a fight are not statistically significant.

Considered Attempting Suicide, Made a Suicide Plan, or Attempted Suicide. In 2001, 26% of the students surveyed reported they had seriously considered attempting suicide during the 12 months preceding the survey. In 2003 and 2005, 17% of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-9%) in this behavior is statistically significant. In 2001, 13% of the students surveyed reported that they had made a plan to attempt suicide. In 2003 and 2005, 12% and 11%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-2%) in this behavior is statistically significant. In 2001, 10% of the students surveyed reported they had actually attempted suicide one or more times during the 12 months preceding the survey. In 2003 and 2005, 5% and 6%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-4%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Table 2. Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries or violence

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
never/rarely wearing a seat belt in a car	11	9	8	-3*
never/rarely wearing a helmet when riding a bicycle	47	49	54	+7*
never /rarely wearing a helmet when rollerblading or skateboarding	55	50	56	+1
riding in car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol	30	22	28	-2*
carrying a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club	33	26	30	-3*
fighting	54	48	51	-3*
injured fighting	8	6	7	-1
considered suicide	26	17	17	-9*
planned to commit suicide	13	12	11	-2*
tried to kill themselves	10	5	6	-4*

*The trend change is statistically significant.

Tobacco Use (Table 3)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of Timberlane MS students smoking cigarettes declined significantly. See findings below.

Tried Cigarettes Smoking. In 2001, 23% of the students surveyed reported they had tried cigarette smoking (lifetime). In 2003 and 2005, 16% and 19%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-4%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Smoked Cigarettes Before Age 13. In 2001, 15% of the students surveyed reported they had smoked cigarettes before age 13. In 2003 and 2005, 8% of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-7%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

30-Day Tobacco Use. In 2001, 8% of the students surveyed reported they had smoked cigarettes one or more time in the past 30 days. In 2003 and 2005, 6% of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-2%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Table 3. Tobacco use

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
tried cigarettes	23	16	19	-4*
smoked a whole cigarette before age 13	15	8	8	-7*
smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days	8	6	6	-2*
smoked two or more cigarettes per day on the days they smoked during the past 30 days	4	2	4	0
got their own cigarettes by buying them in a store or gas station during the past 30 days	1	1	1	0
smoked cigarettes daily, that is, at least one cigarette every day for 30 days	11	3	10	-1
chewed tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days	3	2	3	0
smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars on one or more of the past 30 days	4	3	4	0

*The change is statistically significant.

Alcohol and Drug Use (Table 4)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of Timberlane MS students drinking alcohol remains unchanged; however, significantly fewer students use marijuana. See findings below.

Alcohol Use. In 2001, 33% of the students surveyed reported they had one or more drinks of alcohol (lifetime). In 2003 and 2005, 26% and 33%, respectively, of the students surveyed reported they had one or more drinks of alcohol. Changes in the percentage of students drinking alcohol are not statistically significant. In 2001, 26% of the students surveyed reported drinking alcohol before age 13. In 2003 and 2005, 21% of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-5%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Marijuana Use. In 2001, 15% of the students surveyed reported they had used marijuana (lifetime). In 2003 and 2005, 8% and 12%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant. In 2001, 9% of the students surveyed reported using marijuana before age 13. In 2003 and 2005, 8% and 6%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Other Drug Use. In 2001, 13% of the students surveyed reported they sniffed glue. In 2003 and 2005, 9% and 15%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The increase (+2%) in this behavior is statistically significant. The reported use of cocaine, steroids, and other illegal drugs remain low (5% of less) and stable across the three survey periods (2001, 2003, and 2005).

Table 4. Alcohol and other drug use

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
drank of alcohol	33	26	33	0
drank alcohol before age 13	26	21	21	-5*
used marijuana	15	8	12	-3*
tried marijuana for the first time before age 13	9	8	6	-3*
used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase	5	3	5	0
sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled any paints or sprays to get high	13	9	15	+2*
used steroids	6	3	5	-1
used a needle to inject any illegal drug into their body	3	2	3	0

*The change is statistically significant.

Sexual Behaviors That Contribute to Unintended Pregnancy and STDS (Table 5)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of Timberlane MS students having sexual intercourse increased significantly; however, the percentage of students having sexual intercourse before age 13 remains stable. See findings below.

Sexual Intercourse. In 2001, 13% of the students surveyed reported they had sexual intercourse (lifetime). In 2003 and 2005, 11% and 17%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The increase (+4%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Sexual Intercourse Before Age 13. In 2001, 8% of the students surveyed reported they had sexual intercourse before age 13. In 2003 and 2005, 7% and 9%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The increase (+1%) in this behavior is not statistically significant.

Condom Used During Last Sexual Intercourse. In 2001, 60% of the sexually active students reported they or their partner had used a condom during last sexual intercourse. In 2003 and 2005, 69% and 75%, respectively, of the sexually active students reported the same behavior. The increase (+15%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

AID or HIV Infection Education. In 2001, 76% of students surveyed reported they been taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection. In 2003 and 2005, 54% and 49%, respectively of students reported they been taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection. The decrease (-27%) in this practice is statistically significant.

Table 5. Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and STDS

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
had sexual intercourse	13	11	17	+4*
had first sexual intercourse at age 13 or younger	8	7	9	+1
had sexual intercourse with 2 or more people	55	56	56	+1
used a condom they last time they had sexual intercourse	60	69	75	+15*
taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school	76	54	49	-27*

*The change is statistically significant.

Overweight and Weight Control (Table 6)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of Timberlane MS students describing themselves as overweight changed slightly; however, the change is not statistically different. See findings below.

Described Themselves as Overweight. In 2001, 26% of the students surveyed reported described themselves as overweight. In 2003 and 2005, 27% and 25%, respectively, of the students reported the same description. The increase (-1%) in this description is not statistically significant.

Trying to Lose Weight. In 2001, 44% of the students surveyed reported they were trying to lose weight. In 2003 and 2005, 43% and 42%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-2%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Exercised to Lose Weight. In 2001 and 2003, 67% of students surveyed reported they had exercised to either lose weight or to keep from gaining weight. In 2005, 70% of students reported the same behavior. The increase (+3%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Took Diet Pills or Vomited to Keep From Gaining Weight. In 2001, 5% of students surveyed reported they took diet pills to keep from gaining weight. In 2003 and 2005, 4% of students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-1%) in this practice is statistically significant.

Table 6. Overweight and weight control

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
described themselves as slightly or very overweight	26	27	25	-1
tried to lose weight	44	43	42	-2*
exercised to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight	67	67	70	+3*
ate less food, fewer calories, or foods low in fat to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight	45	40	44	-1
went without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight	14	13	14	0
took diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor’s advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight	5	4	4	-1
vomited or took laxatives to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight	5	4	5	0

*The change is statistically significant.

Physical Activity (Table 7)

SUMMARY: Between 2001 and 2005, the percentage of Timberlane MS students exercising at least 20 minutes on 3 or more days increased significantly, and the percentage of students watching TV 3 or more hours per day decreased significantly. See findings below.

Exercised at Least 20 minutes 3 or More Days. In 2001, 79% of the students surveyed reported they had vigorous physical activity on three or more of the past seven days preceding the survey. In 2003 and 2005, 77% and 83%, respectively, of the students reported the same behavior. The increase (+4%) in this description is statistically significant.

Attended PE Class. In 2001, 2003, and 2005, 71% of the students surveyed reported they had attended physical education (PE) classes three or more days a week.

Played on a Sport Team. In 2001, 65% of the students surveyed reported that they had played on any sports team. In 2003 and 2005, 64% and 66%, respectively, of the student surveyed reported the same behavior. The increase (+1%) in this behavior is not statistically significant.

Watched Television. In 2001 and 2003, 31% of the students surveyed reported they had watched three or more hours of TV per day on an average school day. In 2005, 28% of the students reported the same behavior. The decrease (-3%) in this behavior is statistically significant.

Table 7. Physical activity

Percentage of students …	2001	2003	2005	Change
exercised or participated in physical activities for at least 20 minutes that made them sweat and breathe hard on three or more of the past seven days	79	77	83	+4*
go to physical education (PE) classes three or more days a week	71	71	71	0
played on any sports team	65	64	66	+1
watched three or more hours of TV per day on an average school day	31	31	28	-3*

*The change is statistically significant.

^{^[1]}For more details about the YRBS see the following publication: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Surveillance Summaries, May 21, 2004, MMWR 2004: 53 (No. SS-2).