The teen years explained: a guide to healthy adolescent development

1. Physical Development -- 2. Cognitive Development -- 3. Emotional & Social Development -- 4. Forming an Identity -- 5. Sexuality -- 6. Spirituality & Religion -- 7. Profiles of Development -- 8. Conclusion -- Resources & Further Reading -- Referencesby Clea McNeely and Jayne Blanchard ; with a foreword by Nicole Yohalem, Karen PittmanAlso available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 94-102) and index.The Guide was made possible by funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to the Center for Adolescent Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, a member of the Prevention Research Centers Program, CDC cooperative agreement 1-U48-DP-000040

BMI

"Measuring the body mass index (BMI) of students in schools is an approach to address obesity that is attracting much attention across the nation from researchers, school officials, legislators, and the media. In 2005, the Institute of Medicine called upon the federal government to develop guidance for BMI measurement programs in schools. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced 'Body Mass Index Measurement in Schools' to describe the purpose of school-based BMI surveillance and screening programs, examine current practices, and review research on BMI measurement programs. The article summarizes the recommendations of experts, identifies concerns surrounding programs, and outlines needs for future research. Guidance is provided on specific safeguards that need to be addressed before schools decide to collect BMI information."Title from PDF title screen (viewed June 14, 2010).Executive summary of an article published in Journal of school health. 2007;77(10):651-671.Includes bibliographical references (p. 5).Nihiser AJ, Lee SM, Wechsler H, McKenna M, Odom E, Reinold C, Thompson D, Grummer-Strawn L. Body Mass Index Measurement in Schools. Journal of School Health. 2007;77(10):651-671

Youth risk behavior surveillance: United States, 2009

"Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults, often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, and are interrelated and preventable. Reporting Period Covered: September 2008-December 2009. Description of the System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults: 1) behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; 5) unhealthy dietary behaviors; and 6) physical inactivity. In addition, YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by CDC and state and local school-based YRBSs conducted by state and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from the 2009 national survey, 42 state surveys, and 20 local surveys conducted among students in grades 9-12. Results: Results from the 2009 national YRBS indicated that many high school students are engaged in behaviors that increase their likelihood for the leading causes of death among persons aged 10-24 years in the United States. Among high school students nationwide, 9.7% rarely or never wore a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else. During the 30 days before the survey, 28.3% of high school students rode in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol, 17.5% had carried a weapon, 41.8% had drunk alcohol, and 20.8% had used marijuana. During the 12 months before the survey, 31.5% of high school students had been in a physical fight and 6.3% had attempted suicide. Substantial morbidity and social problems among youth also result from unintended pregnancies and STDs, including HIV infection. Among high school students nationwide, 34.2% were currently sexually active, 38.9% of currently sexually active students had not used a condom during their last sexual intercourse, and 2.1% of students had ever injected an illegal drug. Results from the 2009 YRBS also indicated that many high school students are engaged in behaviors associated with the leading causes of death among adults aged >\u33225 years in the United States. During 2009, 19.5% of high school students smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey. During the 7 days before the survey, 77.7% of high school students had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day, 29.2% had drunk soda or pop at least one time per day, and 81.6% were not physically active for at least 60 minutes per day on all 7 days. One-third of high school students attended physical education classes daily, and 12.0% were obese. Interpretation: Since 1991, the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors among high school students nationwide has decreased. However, many high school students continue to engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. The prevalence of most risk behaviors does not vary substantially among cities and states. Public Health Action: YRBS data are used to measure progress toward achieving 15 national health objectives for Healthy People 2010 and three of the 10 leading health indicators, to assess trends in priority health-risk behaviors among high school students, and to evaluate the impact of broad school and community interventions at the national, state, and local levels. More effective school health programs and other policy and programmatic interventions are needed to reduce risk and improve health outcomes among youth." - p. 1Danice K. Eaton, Laura Kann, Steve Kinchen, Shari Shanklin, James Ross, Joseph Hawkins, William A. Harris, Richard Lowry, Tim McManus, David Chyen, Connie Lim, Lisa Whittle, Nancy D. Brener, Howell Wechsler.Produced by the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC.References: p. 36-37

School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity

"During the last 3 decades, the prevalence of obesity has tripled among persons aged 6-19 years. Multiple chronic disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and high blood glucose levels are related to obesity. Schools have a responsibility to help prevent obesity and promote physical activity and healthy eating through policies, practices, and supportive environments. This report describes school health guidelines for promoting healthy eating and physical activity, including coordination of school policies and practices; supportive environments; school nutrition services; physical education and physical activity programs; health education; health, mental health, and social services; family and community involvement; school employee wellness; and professional development for school staff members. These guidelines, developed in collaboration with specialists from universities and from national, federal, state, local, and voluntary agencies and organizations, are based on an in-depth review of research, theory, and best practices in healthy eating and physical activity promotion in school health, public health, and education. Because every guideline might not be appropriate or feasible for every school to implement, individual schools should determine which guidelines have the highest priority based on the needs of the school and available resources"--P. 1.Background -- Introduction -- Methods -- Epidemiologic aspects of healthy eating and physical activity -- School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity -- Conclusion -- References -- Appendix A. Summary of School health guidelines to promote healthy eating and physical activity -- Appendix B. Healthy People 2020 objectives for healthy eating and physical activity among children and adolescents[prepared by Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion].Cover title."September 16, 2011.""Corresponding preparer: Sarah M. Lee"--P. 1."U.S. Government Printing Office: 2011-723-011/21080, Region IV"--P. [4] of cover.Also available via the World Wide Web as an Acrobat .pdf file (973.43 KB, 80 p.) .Includes bibliographical references (p. 53-71)

Youth risk behavior surveillance, United States, 1995

Reports Published in CDC Surveillance Summaries Since January 1, 1985 -- Introduction -- Methods -- Results -- Discussion -- References -- Appendix: State and Local Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System Coordinators -- State and Territorial Epidemiologists and Laboratory DirectorsSeptember 27, 1996.Includes bibliographical references (p. 26)

School-based obesity prevention strategies for state policymakers

Schools play a critical role in preventing childhood obesity. Governors, state agencies, and state boards of education can do much to help them. Below are some strategies that states have used and that have shown promise in helping schools address childhood obesity. Strategy 1: Coordinate and integrate school health-related programs across state agencies and with nongovernmental organizations. Strategy 2: Use state and local data to guide decision-making and policy formulation. Strategy 3: Support the development of school health councils and rigorous school health planning processes. Strategy 4: Establish strong wellness policies. Strategy 5: Improve the capacity of school staff through certification and professional development. Strategy 6: Establish requirements for how much time students must spend in physical education. Strategy 7: Set nutrition standards for foods and beverages offered in schools. Strategy 8: Promote high quality health education and physical education. Strategy 9: Support student participation in high quality school meal programs. Strategy 10: Support opportunities for students to engage in physical activity and consume healthier foods.Title from PDF cover (viewed Oct. 14, 2010)."Prepared by the Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader.Includes bibliographical references (p. [3]).Text in PDF format

Youth risk behavior surveillance : Pacific Island United States territories, 2007

Youth risk behavior surveillance : selected Steps communities, 2007: "Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, including tobacco use, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity often are established during childhood and adolescence, extend into adulthood, are interrelated, and are preventable. These behaviors contribute to chronic disease and other health conditions, including asthma. Reporting Period Covered: January--May 2007. Description of System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health-risk behaviors and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youth and young adults. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state and local school-based surveys conducted by state and local education and health agencies. In 2007, as a component of YRBSS, communities participating in the Steps Cooperative Agreement Program (Steps Program) also conducted school-based surveys of students in grades 9--12 in their program intervention areas. These communities used a standard questionnaire that measured tobacco use, dietary behaviors, and physical activity and monitored the prevalence of obesity and asthma. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in 26 Steps communities that conducted surveys in 2007. Results: Results from the 26 Steps communities indicated that a substantial proportion of adolescents engaged in health-risk behaviors that increased their likelihood of becoming obese. During 2007, across surveys, the percentage of high school students who had ever smoked at least one cigarette every day for 30 days ranged from 3.7% to 20.1% (median: 9.0%), the percentage who had eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 13.9% to 23.9% (median: 17.9%), and the percentage who met recommended levels of physical activity ranged from 27.7% to 55.5% (median: 40.1%). Across surveys, the percentage of students who were obese ranged from 4.6% to 20.2% (median: 13.6%), and the percentage of students who had ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma ranged from 16.8% to 28.5% (median: 21.6%). Interpretation: Although the prevalence of many health-risk behaviors and health conditions related to obesity and asthma varies across Steps communities, a substantial proportion of high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for chronic disease. Public Health Action: Steps Program staff at the national, tribal, state, and local levels will use YRBSS data for decision making, program planning, and enhancing technical assistance to reduce tobacco use and exposure and to increase healthy eating and physical activity. These data will be used to help focus existing programs on activities that have shown the greatest promise of results, as well as identify populations of greatest need and opportunities for strategic collaboration to identify and disseminate lessons learned. " - p. 1Youth risk behavior surveillance : Pacific Island United States territories, 2007: "Problem: Priority health-risk behaviors, which are behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among youth and adults in Pacific Island territories, often are established during adolescence and extend into adulthood. Reporting Period Covered: January--June 2007. Description of the System: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors six categories of priority health-risk behaviors among youth and young adults, including behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection; unhealthy dietary behaviors; and physical inactivity. In addition, the YRBSS monitors the prevalence of obesity and asthma. YRBSS includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC and state, territorial, tribal, and local school-based surveys conducted by state, territorial, tribal, and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from surveys of students in grades 9--12 conducted in five territories (American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau) during January--June 2007. Results: Across the five Pacific Island territories, the leading causes of mortality among all ages include unintentional injuries, including motor-vehicle crashes; cancer; cardiovascular diseases; stroke; and diabetes. Results from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) indicated that high school students in the Pacific Island territories engaged in behaviors that increased their risk for mortality or morbidity from these causes. Across the five territories during 2007, the percentage of high school students who had rarely or never worn a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else ranged from 11.8% to 83.2% (median: 30.9%). During the 30 days before the survey, the percentage who had ridden in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol ranged from 34.8% to 49.8% (median: 42.8%), the percentage who had driven a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol ranged from 7.8% to 16.1% (median: 11.9%), and the percentage who had carried a weapon ranged from 16.9% to 32.0% (median: 19.6%). The percentage of students who had smoked cigarettes during the 30 days before the survey ranged from 23.1% to 37.6% (median: 31.1%), the percentage who had not eaten fruits and vegetables five or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey ranged from 72.8% to 83.6% (median: 79.5%), and the percentage who had not met recommended levels of physical activity ranged from 64.0% to 77.2% (median: 68.9%). Interpretation: The prevalence of many health-risk behaviors varies across the five Pacific Island territories, and many high school students engage in behaviors that place them at risk for the leading causes of mortality and morbidity. Public Health Action: YRBSS data will be used in the territories for decision making and program planning, resulting in more effective school health and youth health programs. More evidence-based interventions and programs are needed to reduce risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among youth." - [. 28Youth risk behavior surveillance : selected Steps communities, 2007 / Shari Shanklin, Nancy D. Brener, Laura Kann, Shannon Griffin-Blake, Ann Ussery-Hall, Alyssa Easton, Erica Barrett, Joseph Hawkins, William A. Harris, Tim McManus -- Youth risk behavior surveillance : Pacific Island United States territories, 2007 / Jaclynn Lippe, Nancy Brener, Laura Kann, 1 Steve Kinchen, William A. Harris, Tim McManus, Nancy Speicher"November 28, 2008."Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 8 and p. 39)

Sexual identity, sex of sexual contacts, and health-risk behaviors among students in grades 9-12: Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance, selected sites, United States, 2001-2009

Laura Kann, Emily O\ue2\u20ac\u2122Malley Olsen, Tim McManus, Steve Kinchen, David Chyen, William A. Harris, Howell Wechsler Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, CDC.Cover title."June 10, 2011."PROBLEM: Sexual minority youths are youths who identify themselves as gay or lesbian, bisexual, or unsure of their sexual identity or youths who have only had sexual contact with persons of the same sex or with both sexes. Population-based data on the health-risk behaviors practiced by sexual minority youths are needed at the state and local levels to most effectively monitor and ensure the effectiveness of public health interventions designed to address the needs of this population. REPORTING PERIOD COVERED: January 2001-June 2009. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) monitors priority health-risk behaviors (behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries, behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, dietary behaviors, physical activity and sedentary behaviors, and weight management) and the prevalence of obesity and asthma among youths and young adults. YRBSS includes state and local school-based Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBSs) conducted by state and local education and health agencies. This report summarizes results from YRBSs conducted during 2001-2009 in seven states and six large urban school districts that included questions on sexual identity (i.e., heterosexual, gay or lesbian, bisexual, or unsure), sex of sexual contacts (i.e., same sex only, opposite sex only, or both sexes), or both of these variables. The surveys were conducted among large population-based samples of public school students in grades 9-12. RESULTS: Across the nine sites that assessed sexual identity, the prevalence among gay or lesbian students was higher than the prevalence among heterosexual students for a median of 63.8% of all the risk behaviors measured, and the prevalence among bisexual students was higher than the prevalence among heterosexual students for a median of 76.0% of all the risk behaviors measured. In addition, the prevalence among gay or lesbian students was more likely to be higher than (rather than equal to or lower than) the prevalence among heterosexual students for behaviors in seven of the 10 risk behavior categories (behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, and weight management). Similarly, the prevalence among bisexual students was more likely to be higher than (rather than equal to or lower than) the prevalence among heterosexual students for behaviors in eight of the 10 risk behavior categories (behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries, behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, sexual behaviors, and weight management). Across the 12 sites that assessed sex of sexual contacts, the prevalence among students who had sexual contact with both sexes was higher than the prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the opposite sex for a median of 71.1% of all the risk behaviors measured, and the prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the same sex was higher than the prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the opposite sex for a median of 29.7% of all the risk behaviors measured. Furthermore, the prevalence among students who had sexual contact with both sexes was more likely to be higher than (rather than equal to or lower than) the prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the opposite sex for behaviors in six of the 10 risk behavior categories (behaviors that contribute to violence, behaviors related to attempted suicide, tobacco use, alcohol use, other drug use, and weight management). The prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the same sex was more likely to be higher than (rather than equal to or lower than) the prevalence among students who only had sexual contact with the opposite sex for behaviors in two risk behavior categories (behaviors related to attempted suicide and weight management). INTERPRETATIONS: Sexual minority students, particularly gay, lesbian, and bisexual students and students who had sexual contact with both sexes, are more likely to engage in health-risk behaviors than other students. PUBLIC HEALTH ACTION: Effective state and local public health and school health policies and practices should be developed to help reduce the prevalence of health-risk behaviors and improve health outcomes among sexual minority youths. In addition, more state and local surveys designed to monitor health-risk behaviors and selected health outcomes among population-based samples of students in grades 9-12 should include questions on sexual identity and sex of sexual contacts.Also available via the World Wide Web.Includes bibliographical references (p. 50)

Youth risk behavior surveillance: United States, 2001

Jo Anne Grunbaum ... [et al.]."June 28, 2002"Also available via the World Wide Web

Adolescent health in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: findings from the global burden of disease 2015 study.

OBJECTIVES: The 22 countries of the East Mediterranean Region (EMR) have large populations of adolescents aged 10-24 years. These adolescents are central to assuring the health, development, and peace of this region. We described their health needs. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015 (GBD 2015), we report the leading causes of mortality and morbidity for adolescents in the EMR from 1990 to 2015. We also report the prevalence of key health risk behaviors and determinants. RESULTS: Communicable diseases and the health consequences of natural disasters reduced substantially between 1990 and 2015. However, these gains have largely been offset by the health impacts of war and the emergence of non-communicable diseases (including mental health disorders), unintentional injury, and self-harm. Tobacco smoking and high body mass were common health risks amongst adolescents. Additionally, many EMR countries had high rates of adolescent pregnancy and unmet need for contraception. CONCLUSIONS: Even with the return of peace and security, adolescents will have a persisting poor health profile that will pose a barrier to socioeconomic growth and development of the EMR