Steps Youth Survey

 

Three risk behaviors …

smoking – poor nutrition – lack of physical activity

… lead to the main causes of death for persons age 25 years and older1.

Smoking

Many current smokers began smoking during their youth.  Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States.  It increases the risk of several diseases including some cancers, cardiovascular disease, and asthma.  If current patterns of smoking continue, an estimated 6.4 million youth can be expected to die from a smoking-related disease.

 

The 2005 Steps Youth Survey in Chautauqua County found that among youth who completed survey…

 

… 8% smoked cigarettes 20 or more of the last 30 days

 

… 16.1% smoked cigarettes 1 or more of last 30 days

 

… 46.2 % tried smoking at least once  

 

… 12.5 % at some time smoked cigarettes daily

 

… 12.3 %have tried to quit

 

... 11.3% smoked a cigarette by age 12. An additional 23.2% had smoked by age 13 or older.

 

Nutrition

Adolescents can learn healthful eating habits that will follow them into adulthood.  Unfortunately, many youth do not meet current dietary guidelines.  A healthful diet is associated with lower risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.  Heavy consumption of soda and fast food is linked to an increased risk of obesity.

 

The 2005 Steps Youth Survey in Chautauqua County found that among youth who completed survey…

 

…12.1 % are overweight. An additional 15.9 % are at risk for becoming overweight.2

 

…49.2 %are trying to lose weight

 

… 81.1% ate fewer than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day during past 7 days

 

…31.1% had soft drinks 2+ times per day in last 30 days

 

… 32.5% ate fast food 2+ times in previous week

 

Physical Activity

Regular physical activity helps maintain good health and is associated with lower risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.  Increased self-esteem is another important benefit of physical activity.  Long periods of watching television and playing video games is linked to an increased risk of obesity

 

The 2005 Steps Youth Survey in Chautauqua County found that among youth who completed survey…

 

…29.6%  had too little vigorous activity in last 7 days3

 

…45.7% had too little moderate activity in last 7days4

 

…25.7% watched TV 3+ hours on average school day

 

…21.6%played video games or used computer for non-school work 3+ hours on average school day

 

* This format and the mortality graphs are derived from a document located on the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdfs/statefacts/newyork.pdf


 

 

 

1. 2001 mortality data, National Center for Health Statistics.

2. Overweight: students who were at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex.

At Risk of becoming overweight: students who were at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex. National Center for Health Statistics, 2000.

3. Did not participate in vigorous physical activity for ≥ 20 minutes on ≥ 3 of the past 7 days.

4. Did not participate in moderate physical activity for ≥ 30 minutes on ≥ 5 of the past 7 days.