Dietary Behaviors

Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors

	Body Mass Index
	Dietary Intake
	Weight Control

Dietary Behaviors Body Mass Index Category


Data for 1997 & 2000 were not available

Rationale: These questions measure self-reported height and weight, self-perception of body weight status, and specific weight control behaviors. Data on self-reported height and weight can be used to calculate body mass index and provide a reasonable proxy measure of whether students are overweight. Although overweight prevalence estimates derived from self-reported data are likely to be low, they can be useful in tracking trends over time. Prevalence trends from national surveys of adults using self-reported height and weight have been consistent with trend data from national surveys using measured heights and weights. Overweight and obesity are increasing in both genders and among all population groups. In 1999, an estimated 61% United States adults and 14% of adolescents aged 12-19 years were overweight. In 1999, there were nearly twice as many overweight children and almost three times as many overweight adolescents as there were in 1980. Approximately 300,000 deaths a year in the United States are currently associated with overweight and obesity. Left unabated, overweight and obesity may soon cause as much preventable disease and death as cigarette smoking. Overweight or obesity acquired during childhood or adolescence may persist into adulthood and increase the risk later in life for coronary heart disease, gallbladder disease, some types of cancer, and osteoarthritis of the weight-vearing joings. In adolescence, obesity is associated with hyperlipidemia, hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance, and adverse psychological and social consequences. Studies have shown high rates of body dissatisfaction and dieting among adolescent females, with many engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors, such as fasting and self-induced vomiting which can lead to abnormal physical and psychological development.

One-fifth, 19% of middle school students were at risk for overweight. At risk for overweight are students who were at or above the 85% and below 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex based on reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II.	Almost one-fifth (17%) of high school students were at risk for overweight. At risk for overweight are students who were at or above the 85% and below 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex based on reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II. BMI data were not available in 1997.


Overall, 19% of middle school students were overweight. More males (24%) than females (13%) were overweight. Overweight are students who were at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex based on reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II. More sixth grade than 7th and 8th grade students (29%) were overweight.	Overall, 14% of high school students were overweight. More male students (19%) than female students (10%) were overweight. Overweight are students who were at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index by age and sex based on reference data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey II. BMI data were not available in 1997.

One-third, 24% of high school students thought they were overweight.	Half of the high school students (51%) were attempting weight loss. More females (62%) than males (40%) attempted weight loss.

Dietary Behaviors Dietary Intake

	Rationale: These questions measure food choices: Six of the questions address fruit and vegetable consumption, and one addresses milk consumption. The fruit and vegetable questions are similar to questions asked of adults on CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that are important for good health. Dietary patterns with higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with a decreased risk for some types of cancer. In 2001, only 23.3.% of male high school students and 19.7% of female high school students met the minimum average daily goal of at least five servings per day of vegetables and fruits. Milk is by far the largest single source of calcium for high school students. Only about half of male high school students and more than 80% of female high school students do not meet dietary recommendations for calcium intake. Calcium is essential for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. Low calcium intake during the first two or three decades of life is an important risk factor in the development of osteoporosis.


During the seven days preceding the survey, 38% of high school students ate five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This behavior decreased with increasing grade.	Overall, 13% of high school students drank three or more glasses of milk per day during the seven days preceding the survey. More males (17%) than females (10%) reported this behavior.

Dietary Behaviors Weight Control Behaviors


Data for 1997 & 2000 were not available


During the 30 days preceding the survey, 70% of middle school students exercised to lose weight or avoid gaining weight. Female students (73%) were more likely than male students (67%) to report this behavior. Students (70%) in 2003 were more likely than students in 1997 (59%) to report this behavior.	During the 30 days preceding the survey, 69% of high school students exercised to lose weight or avoid gaining weight. Female students (74%) were more likely than male students (64%) to report this behavior.


About half, 48% of middle school students ate less food, fewer calories, or foods low in fat to lose weight or avoid gaining weight. Females (51%) were more likely than males (45%) to report this behavior.	More than two out of five, (43%) of high school students ate less food, fewer calories, or foods low in fat to lose weight or avoid gaining weight during the 30 days preceding the survey. Females (54%) were more likely than males (37%) to report this behavior.


One-quarter, 25% of middle school students fasted (went without eating for 24 hours or more) to lose weight or avoid gaining weight.	During the 30 days preceding the survey, 19% of high school students fasted (went without eating for 24 hours or more) to lose weight or avoid gaining weight. Females (23%) were more likely than males (16%) to report this behavior.


	During the 30 days preceding the survey, 7% of students took diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor's advice (does not include meal replacement products such as Slim Fast) to lose weight or avoid gaining weight.

	Overall, 7% of high school students vomited or took laxatives to lose weight or avoid gaining weight during the 30 days preceding the survey. Female students (10%) were more likely than male students (5%) to report this behavior.