2013 BPS Middle School YRBS Results

2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey What Youths Told Us

Results and Fact Sheets

2013 Boston Middle School Dear educators, youth-serving professionals and community members,

Youth Risk Behavior Survey

We know that healthy students are better learners. For BPS to be successful in our mission to provide an education for all students, we must prioritize student physical, mental, and emotional health.

The Boston Public Schools conducted the first Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention national surveillance system, in the fall of 2013. The attached fact sheets were developed to share the student reported health-risk behavior data. As a community, we must reflect on these findings and collaborate to improve the health and wellness of Boston youth.

We must address health inequities that act as barriers to learning. With this in mind, we are working tirelessly to make Boston Public Schools one of the healthiest school districts in the country. We will do this by creating a healthy school environment for all students, where the healthy choice is the easy choice, and students know how to make that choice.

In June 2013, the School Committee passed a revised Wellness Policy that was recently rated as one of the most comprehensive policies in the country. It addresses health education, physical education and physical activity, food and nutrition, health services, a safe and supportive environment, a healthy physical environment, and staff wellness and integrates cultural proficiencies throughout.

By taking a Whole Child, Whole School, Whole Community approach, we are working to ensure every child is healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged.

The new Office of Social Emotional Learning and Wellness is collaborating with departments across BPS to build the systems and supports schools need to deliver high-quality services to students and families and thus address the health needs of our students.

Our efforts include:

Expanding comprehensive, skills-based health education K-12

Implementing K-12 physical education that promotes life long physical activity and fitness

Integrating physical activity through out the school day

Offering healthy, appealing, and free breakfast and lunch

Increasing access to high-quality drinking water from the tap

Implementing a Comprehensive Behavioral Health Framework

Ensuring a tobacco-free environment and only environmentally friendly cleaners

Launching a Safe Routes to School Program that encourages walking and biking

Collaborating with adolescent medical providers to increase care coordination and referrals

Ensuring inclusive practices for all students We strive to impact the most pressing student health issues by:

Increasing physical activity and healthy eating and reducing obesity

Increasing social emotional learning and improving mental and behavioral health

Decreasing asthma

Improving sexual health and decreasing teen pregnancy We want to ensure that Boston Public School students are ready for learning and ready for life. Please join us this work!

Yours in an effort to be one of the healthiest school districts in the country, Sincerely,

Dr. Tommy Chang Superintendent of Schools

About the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System The middle school Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) conducted by interested states, territories, tribal governments, and large urban school districts is one component of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Systems (YRBSS). Developed in 1990 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in collaboration with representatives from state and local departments of education and health, other federal agencies, and national education and health organizations, the YRBSS was designed to focus the nation on behaviors among youth related to leading causes of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults and to assess how these risk behaviors change over time. The CDC divides behaviors into six categories: • • • • • •

Behaviors that result in unintentional injuries and violence; Tobacco use; Alcohol and other drugs; Sexual behaviors that result in sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies; Dietary behaviors; and Physical activity.

The YRBS also measures asthma and self-reported height and weight to allow calculation of body mass index for assessment of overweight and obesity. More information about the YRBSS can be obtained from http://www.cdc.gov/yrbss.

Survey Methods The 2013 Boston Middle School YRBS was completed by 1,541 randomly selected students in 32 public middle schools in Boston during the fall of 2013. The school response rate was 100%. The student response rate was 87%, and the overall response rate was 87%. The results are representative of all students in grades 6 through 8. The weighted demographic characteristics of the sample can be seen in table 1.

Students completed a self-administered, anonymous, 52-item questionnaire.

Survey procedures were designed to protect the privacy of students by allowing for anonymous and voluntary participation. Local parental permission procedures were followed before survey administration.

Table1.

Demographic Characteristics Female

48.5%

About these Fact Sheets

Male

51.5%

Adults play an important role in supporting students in safe and healthy behaviors.

Therefore, these fact sheets are directed toward educators, youth-serving professionals, and community members. The purpose of these fact sheets is to disseminate findings from the first risk behavior survey for Boston middle school students. This information may inform future wellness-related programs, practices, and policies that aim to improve the health and wellness of Boston youths. The intent of these fact sheets is not to attempt to provide solutions, but rather to highlight significant results to spark future conversations and collaborations. Results are presented by health risk-behavior area as follows:

6th Grade

28.0%

7th Grade

35.3%

8th Grade

36.0%

Other grade

0.8%

Asian

9.4%

Black*

34.3%

Hispanic/Latino

39.6%

White*

14.0%

All other races

0.8%

Multiple races

1.8%

• • • •

Dietary Behaviors and Weight Management; Physical Activity; Sexual Health; Social, Emotional, and Physical Safety.

*Non-Hispanic

Action Steps

Lead Person(s)

How will you meet this goal? (For Who will take responsibility to ideas refer to the BPS Wellness ensure steps are Policy Implementation Toolkit) accomplished?

b. c.

b.

c.

By When?

a. b. c.

a. b. c.

b.

c.

c.

b.

a.

By what date will you accomplish each step?

a.

Topic area of concern:

a.

a.

Topic area of concern:

Goal

c.

b.

a.

c.

b.

a.

What resources are available to complete this action step?

Resources

Cultural proficiency School food and nutrition promotion Comprehensive physical activity and physical education Comprehensive health education Healthy school environments Safe and supportive schools Health services Staff wellness Other___________

Cultural proficiency School food and nutrition promotion Comprehensive physical activity and physical education Comprehensive health education Healthy school environments Safe and supportive schools Health services Staff wellness Other___________

Which district wellness priority does this meet? (check the box)

District Priority Met

Review the Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Fact Sheets with your Wellness Council.

Select the two topic areas of highest concern and write them in the Wellness Action Plan template below.

For strategies on how to address these issues refer to the Wellness Policy Implementation Toolkit “How to Get Started� Sections.

For each topic area, develop a goal and up to three action steps to address the issue among students. Identify a lead person and deadline for each topic area, and write in any resources you plan to use. Check off the district priority area that this work addresses.

How to use the Middle School YRBS BPS to inform your Wellness Action Plan:

WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHS TOLD US ABOUT

DIETARY BEHAVIORS AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT A FACT SHEET FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

BEVERAGE

Fewer students who get mostly A’s drink soda daily compared to students who get mostly D’s/F’s

Drinking water can replace calories from other beverage 41%

88%

9%

vs.

18%

More students who get mostly A’s drink water daily compared to students who get mostly D’s/F’s

41% of students drink one or more servings of non-diet soda daily

88% of students drink one or more servings of plain water daily

53%

vs.

44%

BPS Water Access Policy

FOOD & NUTRITION 0

20

40

60

80

100

95%

Report having enough food at home

BPS offers universal breakfast

Healthy students are better learners More students who get mostly D’s/F’s do not eat breakfast daily compared to students who get mostly A’s

vs.

28%

Daily breakfast declines with older students 6th grade: 56%

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

48%

Eat breakfast daily

53%

All Schools must make drinking water available to students in the cafeteria and throughout the school day from the tap or from bottles.

7th grade: 46%

8th grade: 43%

27%

45%

of students describe themselves as slightly or very overweight

of students have ever tried to lose weight

To lose weight or to keep from gaining weight...

17%

3%

of students have ever gone without eating for 24 hours or more

of students have ever taken diet pills, powders, or liquids without the doctor’s advice

The above information is from the 2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and can be found in more detail at www.bpshealthandwellness.org. more information about the national YRBS can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

43 (39 - 46) 89 (86 - 91)

41 (38 - 44) 88 (87 - 90)

Ate breakfast on none of the past seven days

Drank one or more cans or glasses of non-diet soda yesterday

Drank one or more bottles or glasses of plain water yesterday

Health Behavior

23* (19 - 27) 41 (37 - 46) 16 (13 - 20) 2 (1 - 5) 46 (40 - 52) 8 (5 - 13) 42 (37 - 46) 87 (83 - 90) 6 (4 - 9)

47 (39 - 55) 12 (8 - 17) 2 (1 - 5) 48 (41 - 56) 9 (6 - 14) 40 (31 - 49) 94 (90 - 97) 3 (1 - 5)

Were trying to lose weight

Had ever gone without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

Had ever taken diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor's advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

Ate breakfast on all of the past seven days

Ate breakfast on none of the past seven days

Drank one or more cans or glasses of non-diet soda yesterday

Drank one or more bottles or glasses of plain water yesterday

Most of the time or always went hungry during the past 30 days because there was not enough food in their home

-Fewer than 100 students in subgroup *Significantly more likely than reference group (p<0.05) The reference group in each demographic category is used as a standardized comparison group specific to each question.

An interpretation of these data would read "Compared to males, females were more likely to try to lose weight."

Confidence Interval

Described themselves as slightly or very overweight

5 (4 - 7)

88 (86 - 90)

40 (36 - 44)

12 (9 - 15)

43* (38 - 48)

(3 - 6)

4

50* (46 - 54) 21 (18 - 24)

28 (25 - 31)

Female

(2 - 8)

4

91 (85 - 95)

21 (15 - 30)

7 (4 - 11)

56 (45 - 67)

2 (0 - 8)

7 (3 - 12)

32* (24 - 41)

23 (18 - 30)

Asian

Race/Ethnicity % (95% CI) (Reference Group) 29 (24 - 35)

Percentage of students who…

their home

5 (3 - 6)

9 (7 - 11)

11 (9 - 13)

Ate breakfast on all of the past seven days

5 (4 - 6)

52 (48 - 56)

Most of the time or always went hungry during the past 30 days because there was not enough food in

(1 - 4)

48 (44 - 51)

3

45 (43 - 48) 17 (16 - 19) 3

41 (37 - 45) 14 (12 - 16)

27 (25 - 29)

Sex % (95% CI) Male (Reference Group) 25 (22 - 29)

Total % (95% CI§)

(2 - 5)

Had ever taken diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctor's advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

Had ever gone without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

Were trying to lose weight

Described themselves as slightly or very overweight

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior

(3 - 7)

4

87 (83 - 89)

46 (41 - 51)

13 (10 - 15)

47 (43 - 52)

5* (3 - 7)

22* (19 - 26)

52 (48 - 56)

31 (27 - 35)

Hispanic/Latino

7 (5 - 11)

88 (84 - 91)

38 (33 - 44)

8 (6 - 11)

56 (51 - 62)

(3 - 7)

5

45 (39 - 51) 16 (12 - 20)

21 (18 - 26)

6 (Reference Group) 8

3 (1 - 5)

90 (85 - 93)

41 (36 - 46)

11 (7 - 15)

43* (38 - 49)

(2 - 6)

3

44 (39 - 48) 18 (15 - 21)

29* (26 - 33)

(3 - 5)

4

88 (87 - 90)

42 (39 - 45)

10 (8 - 13)

47 (44 - 51)

2 (2 - 4)

15 (14 - 17)

-

(5 - 15)

8

85 (78 - 90)

51 (40 - 61)

20* (14 - 29)

37 (27 - 49)

13* (7 - 21)

37* (29 - 46)

-

Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual (Reference Group) 27 30 (25 - 30) (22 - 40)

Sexual Identity % (95% CI)

5 (3 - 7)

89 (86 - 91)

42 (37 - 48)

11 (9 - 14)

46* (41 - 51)

(1 - 3)

2*

47 (43 - 51) 18 (14 - 22)

29* (25 - 33)

7

Grade % (95% CI)

WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHS TOLD US ABOUT

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

A FACT SHEET FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS PE is required in middle school grades for at * Weekly least 45 minutes and recommended for at least 80 minutes

100% of K-8 and 80% of middle school are staffed to fulfill this requirement Most of our schools provide at least 45 minutes of weekly PE in middle school grades 100

80

60

Physical education (PE) is the cornerstone of lifelong physical activity (PA). PE provides students with the knowledge and skills to participate in a variety of physical activity across the lifespan.

40

11% Attend daily PE

20

0

8 in 10 students attend weekly PE

89%

6th 7th

96%

8th

96%

Active students are better learners 40%

23%

15% on 0 days on +5 days on 7 days

The percentage of Boston middle school students who are active for 60+ minutes...

More students who get mostly A’s are active for 60 minutes most days compared to students who get mostly D’s/F’s 43%

Watch 3+ hours of TV daily

42%

Play video/computer games for 3+ hours daily

42%

3%

More students who get mostly D’s/F’s are not active compared to students who get mostly A’s 29%

The percentage of students who are inactive when they...

vs.

vs.

12%

More students who get mostly D’s/F’s watch 3+ hours of TV daily compared to students who get mostly A’s 42%

vs.

33%

More students who get mostly D’s/F’s play 3 hours of video / computer games daily compared to students who get mostly A’s 48%

The above information is from the 2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and can be found in more detail at www.bpshealthandwellness.org. more information about the national YRBS can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthYouth/yrbs/index.htm . *Data from BPS DWP 2013 - 2014 Policy Implementation Annual Report

33%

82 (77 - 85) 14 (11 - 19) 67 (63 - 70) 42 (38 - 47) 43 (39 - 48)

79 (75 - 83) 11 (8 - 16) 59 (55 - 62) 42 (39 - 45) 41 (38 - 45)

Attended physical education (PE) classes one or more days in an average week when they were in school

Attended physical education (PE) classes daily in an average week when they were in school

Played on one or more sports teams during the past 12 months

Watched three or more hours per day of TV on an average school day

Computer used for something that was not school work three or more hours per day on an average school day

17* (14 - 20) 26 (22 - 30) 75* (67 - 82) 17* (12 - 24) 61 (57 - 65) 54* (49 - 59) 41 (36 - 46)

8 (5 - 12) 29 (24 - 34) 87 (81 - 91) 3 (1 - 9) 67 (57 - 76) 22 (16 - 29) 33 (25 - 43)

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 0 of the past seven days

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 7 of the past seven days

Attended physical education (PE) classes one or more days in an average week when they were in school

Attended physical education (PE) classes daily in an average week when they were in school

Played on one or more sports teams during the past 12 months

Watched three or more hours per day of TV on an average school day

Computer used for something that was not school work three or more hours per day on an average school day

40 (35 - 44)

41 (36 - 45)

50* (46 - 54)

9* (5 - 13)

77 (71 - 83)

15* (12 - 19)

46* (35 - 57)

19 (12 - 28)

36* (29 - 45)

5 (2 - 12)

85 (76 - 90)

10* (6 - 18)

14 (9 - 20)

29* (19 - 40)

Asian

43 (38 - 49)

44* (41 - 48)

59 (55 - 64)

11* (8 - 16)

79* (74 - 83)

21* (17 - 25)

17* (14 - 20)

37* (33 - 41)

Hispanic/Latino

33 (28 - 39)

41 (33 - 50)

62 (56 - 67)

15 (8 - 25)

76 (66 - 84)

26 (22 - 31)

18 (14 - 22)

6 (Reference Group) 42 (35 - 49) 8

47* (42 - 51)

40 (35 - 46)

54* (50 - 58)

8 (4 - 15)

81 (70 - 89)

23 (20 - 27)

14 (11 - 17)

41 (38 - 45)

43 (40 - 47)

43 (40 - 46)

61 (57 - 64)

11 (8 - 16)

80 (75 - 84)

24 (22 - 27)

13 (12 - 16)

43 (40 - 46)

46 (35 - 57)

49 (36 - 62)

49* (39 - 59)

13 (7 - 22)

82 (72 - 88)

22 (14 - 32)

20 (14 - 28)

37 (30 - 45)

Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual (Reference Group)

Sexual Identity % (95% CI)

42* (38 - 47)

44 (38 - 50)

60 (55 - 65)

13 (8 - 21)

80 (70 - 87)

20* (16 - 24)

15 (12 - 19)

32 (35 - 44)

7

Grade % (95% CI)

*Significantly different than reference group (p<0.05).

The reference group in each demographic category is used as a standardized comparison group specific to each question.

An interpretation of these data would read "Compared to males, females were less likely to be physically active for 60 minutes per day on five or more of the past seven days."

Confidence Interval

45 (39 - 50)

50 (42 - 58)

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 5 or more of the past seven days

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior (Reference Group)

30 (27 - 33)

23 (21 - 25)

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 7 of the past seven days

19* (16 - 22)

32* (28 - 36)

Female

Race/Ethnicity % (95% CI)

12 (10 - 15)

15 (14 - 17)

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 0 of the past seven days

Percentage of students who…

41 (38 - 44)

Sex % (95% CI)

Were physically active for a total of at least 60 minutes per day on 5 or more of the past seven days

Total % (95% CI§) Male (Reference Group) 49 (46 - 53)

Health Behavior

WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHS TOLD US ABOUT

SEXUAL HEALTH

A FACT SHEET FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

1 in 4 middle school students has ever been taught in school about how to use condoms

1 in 3 middle school students has ever been taught in school about HIV/AIDS infection

Students become sexually active at a young age. It is important for students to get accurate, developmentally appropriate information and to learn essential skills to stay safe, make informed decisions, and have healthy relationships throughout their lives.

Middle school students described themselves as...

Gay or Lesbian

1%

6% Not sure 11% Bisexual

82%

Heterosexual

10%

Of middle school students have ever had sexual intercourse

12%

Of middle school students have been physically hurt on purpose by someone they have been dating at least once

7%

Of middle school students have ever had oral sex

Results suggest that students who identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB) may be more likely to engage in risky sexual health behaviors than heterosexual students. Adults have a role in creating a safe and supportive environment for all youth and can be a valuable resource for youth.

The above information is from the 2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and can be found in more detail at www.bpshealthandwellness.org. more information about the national YRBS can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

6 (5 - 9) 35 (29 - 40) 3 (2 - 5)

4 (3 - 5) 33 (28 - 39) 4 (3 - 5)

Ever had sexual intercourse with three or more people

1 (0 - 2) 28 (23 - 34)

3 (2 - 4) 26 (21 - 31)

Have had sexual contact with males and females during their life

Have ever been taught in school about how to use condoms

37 (31 - 43) 3 (2 - 5)

26 (17 - 38) 1 (0 - 4)

2 (1 - 5) 27 (20 - 35)

1 (0 - 4) 15 (10 - 21)

Have had sexual contact with males and females during their life

Have ever been taught in school about how to use condoms

23 (18 - 30)

5 (3 - 7)

5 (3 - 6)

15 (9 - 22)

2 (1 - 6)

2 (1 - 7)

-

3 (2 - 7)

28 (18 - 40)

2 (1 - 7)

3 (1 - 8)

Asian

30 (24 - 37)

4 (2 - 6)

7 (5 - 9)

(10 - 18)

13

6 (4 - 8)

35 (28 - 42)

4* (2 - 6)

4* (3 - 6)

Hispanic/Latino

15 (9 - 23)

2 (1 - 4)

6 (4 - 10)

(13 - 27)

19

4 (3 - 6)

16 (12 - 21)

2 (1 - 5)

6 (Reference Group) 4 (2 - 7) 8

33 (22 - 46)

4 (2 - 6)

9 (6 - 12)

(7 - 14)

10

4 (2 - 6)

41* (32 - 51)

4 (2 - 7)

3 (2 - 4)

26

-

7 (5 - 9)

(7 - 14)

10

3 (2 - 4)

36*

-

16 (8 - 30)

(9 - 30)

17

14* (8 - 24)

61 (49 - 71)

7 (3 - 20)

4 (2 - 5) 65 (60 - 70)

10 (4 - 22)

3 (2 - 5)

Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual (Reference Group)

Sexual Identity % (95% CI)

25 (19 - 34)

2 (1 - 4)

5 (3 - 9)

(7 - 15)

10

4 (2 - 6)

37* (32 - 44)

4 (2 - 6)

3 (2 - 6)

7

Grade % (95% CI)

**Among students who dated or went out with someone during the past 12 months -Fewer than 100 students in subgroup *Significantly different than reference group (p<0.05) The reference group in each demographic category is used as a standardized comparison group specific to each question.

An interpretation of these data would read "Compared to males, females were less likely to have had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 11".

Confidence Interval

8 (6 - 12)

5 (2 - 10)

(6 - 16)

10

5* (3 - 8)

1 (0 - 4)

-

4* (2 - 7)

0

Have ever had oral sex

Had been physically hurt on purpose by someone they were dating or going out with one or more times during the past 12 months**

Have ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to

Had ever been taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection

Ever had sexual intercourse with three or more people

Had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 11

Percentage of students who…

(Reference Group)

9 (7 - 13)

7 (6 - 9)

Have ever had oral sex

(8 - 16)

11

5 (3 - 6)

32 (27 - 38)

1* (0 - 2)

2* (1 - 3)

Female

Race/Ethnicity % (95% CI)

(9 - 18)

(10 - 16)

Health Behavior

13

12

Had been physically hurt on purpose by someone they were dating or going out with one or more times during the past 12 months**

Have ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to

Had ever been taught in school about AIDS or HIV infection

Percentage of students who…

4 (3 - 5)

Sex % (95% CI)

Had sexual intercourse for the first time before age 11

Total % (95% CI§) Male (Reference Group) 5 (4 - 8)

Health Behavior

WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHS TOLD US ABOUT

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND PHYSICAL SAFETY A FACT SHEET FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

TRANSPORTATION 89%

VIOLENCE

89% of students sometimes or always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car

28%

24%

28% of students sometimes or always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle 24% of students sometimes or always wear a helmet when rollerblading or skateboarding

BULLYING 39% of students have been bullied on school property

54% of students have been in a physical fight 16% of students have ever carried a weapon (gun, knife, or club)

54% 16%

69%

69% of students would seek help from an adult at school if they had an important question affecting their life

31%

31% of students do not feel safe in their neighborhood

44% 22%

39%

I hate you

16% of students have been electronically bullied

21%

8% 16%

MENTAL HEALTH 44% of students get less than 8 hours of sleep each night

22% of students feel stressed most of the time or always

21% of students have seriously thought about killing themselves 8% of students have tried to kill themselves

The above information is from the 2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and can be found in more detail at www.bpshealthandwellness.org. more information about the national YRBS can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

(67 - 76) 69 (64 - 73) 18 (15 - 22) 57 (53 - 62)

84 (78 - 88) 22 (17 - 27) 57 (49 - 64)

77* (72 - 82) 81 (75 - 86) 9 (7 - 13) 15 (12 - 19) 63* (57 - 68) 35 (30 - 41) 10* (7 - 14) 17 (13 - 21) 5 (4 - 7) 31 (26 - 36) 71

Black†

(58 - 72)

6 (3 - 10) 16 (11 - 22) 40 (31 - 50) 41 (35 - 48) 17 (14 - 22) 14 (8 - 22) 6 (3 - 10) 16 (12 - 22) 66

-

45 (33 - 57)

White† (Reference Group)

(63 - 71) 71 (67 - 74) 16 (13 - 19) 58 (53 - 62)

(66 - 71) 69 (67 - 71) 22 (20 - 24) 56 (53 - 59)

(66 - 73) 68 (65 - 72) 29 (26 - 33) 55 (51 - 59)

69* (64 - 74) 77 (71 - 82) 9* (7 - 11) 10* (8 - 13) 41* (36 - 47) 45* (41 - 49) 23* (19 - 27) 31* (27 - 36) 12* (9 - 15) 32 (28 - 35) 69

Female

69 (62 - 75) 29 (23 - 35) 59 (51 - 67)

(60 - 74)

15* (10 - 21) 14 (10 - 19) 29 (23 - 37) 39 (31 - 49) 17 (11 - 26) 25* (19 - 33) 9 (5 - 14) 31 (25 - 38) 67

-

58 (46 - 69)

Asian

Race/Ethnicity % (95% CI)

75 (71 - 79) 76 (71 - 80) 12 (10 - 15) 22 (18 - 25) 67 (63 - 70) 33 (29 - 37) 9 (7 - 12) 11 (9 - 14) 5 (3 - 7) 29 (26 - 33) 67

Male (Reference Group)

Sex % (95% CI)

72 (68 - 76) 76 (72 - 80) 11 (9 - 12) 16 (14 - 18) 54 (51 - 58) 39 (36 - 42) 16 (14 - 18) 21 (18 - 24) 8 (7 - 10) 31 (29 - 33) 69

Total % (95% CI§)

*Significantly different than reference group (p<0.05).

The reference group in each demographic category is used as a standardized comparison group specific to each question.

An interpretation of these data would read "Compared to males, females were less likely to never or rarely have worn a bicycle helmet, among students who rode a bicycle."

§

Confidence Interval

Get eight or more hours of sleep on an average school night

Most of the time or always feel stressed

Most of the time or always feel safe and secure in their neighborhood

Would feel comfortable seeking help from one or more adults at school if they had an important question affecting their life

Sometimes, rarely, or never feel safe and secure in their neighborhood

Ever tried to kill themselves

Ever seriously thought about killing themselves

Had ever been electronically bullied

Had ever been bullied on school property

Have ever been in a physical fight

Ever carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club

Never or rarely wore a seat belt when riding in a car

Never or rarely wore a helmet, among students who used rollerblades or rode a skateboard

Never or rarely wore a bicycle helmet, among students who rode a bicycle

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior

Get eight or more hours of sleep on an average school night

Most of the time or always feel stressed

Most of the time or always feel safe and secure in their neighborhood

Would feel comfortable seeking help from one or more adults at school if they had an important question affecting their life

Sometimes, rarely, or never feel safe and secure in their neighborhood

Ever tried to kill themselves

Ever seriously thought about killing themselves

Had ever been electronically bullied

Had ever been bullied on school property

Have ever been in a physical fight

Ever carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club

Never or rarely wore a seat belt when riding in a car

Never or rarely wore a helmet, among students who used rollerblades or rode a skateboard

Never or rarely wore a bicycle helmet, among students who rode a bicycle

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior

66 (63 - 70) 24 (20 - 27) 55 (50 - 60)

(65 - 73)

81* (76 - 85) 81 (76 - 85) 11* (9 - 14) 17 (13 - 21) 57* (52 - 61) 41 (36 - 45) 19 (16 - 23) 25* (21 - 29) 11* (8 - 14) 34 (30 - 37) 69

Hispanic/Latino

(63 - 74) 69 (65 - 73) 19 (17 - 22) 68 (61 - 74)

66 (60 - 72) 67 (62 - 73) 11 (8 - 14) 15 (11 - 18) 53 (46 - 61) 36 (31 - 41) 15 (11 - 19) 15 (12 - 18) 6 (4 - 10) 31 (27 - 35) 69

6 (Reference Group) 8

(64 - 75) 69 (65 - 73) 25 (22 - 29) 47 (43 - 52)

78* (72 - 83) 83* (77 - 88) 10 (8 - 14) 17 (13 - 22) 54 (48 - 59) 38 (34 - 42) 17 (13 - 20) 22* (18 - 27) 9 (6 - 12) 31 (27 - 35) 70

70 (68 - 73) 19 (18 - 21) 56 (53 - 60)

(66 - 71)

73 (69 - 77) 77 (72 - 81) 10 (8 - 12) 16 (13 - 18) 56 (53 - 59) 37 (34 - 40) 14 (11 - 16) 17 (14 - 20) 6 (5 - 8) 30 (27 - 32) 69

50* (40 - 60) 50* (40 - 61) 42* (34 - 51)

(58 - 78)

87* (77 - 93) 84 (74 - 91) 17 (10 - 27) 29* (20 - 40) 70* (60 - 78) 61* (52 - 70) 38* (28 - 50) 56* (46 - 66) 31* (22 - 43) 50* (40 - 60) 69

Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual (Reference Group)

Sexual Identity % (95% CI)

(64 - 70) 71 (66 - 75) 21 (18 - 25) 57 (53 - 61)

71 (62 - 79) 76 (68 - 83) 9 (7 - 12) 16 (12 - 20) 55 (48 - 61) 41 (36 - 47) 16 (13 - 19) 23* (19 - 27) 8 (6 - 11) 29 (25 - 34) 67

7

Grade % (95% CI)

WHAT MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTHS TOLD US ABOUT

SUBSTANCE USE

A FACT SHEET FOR EDUCATORS, YOUTH-SERVING PROFESSIONALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

MOST STUDENTS DO NOT USE TOBACCO PRODUCTS 95% have never used any tobacco products 97% do not smoke cigarettes 98% do not use chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip 97% do not smoke cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars

Lets make sure they don’t start Limiting access can help prevent future tobacco use

Only 4% of middle school students have a usual source for their own tobacco products

9 in 10 students do not currently drink alcohol MARIJUANA

OTHER DRUGS

16% have EVER used marijuana 10% currently use marijuana

93%

96%

93% have never sniffed inhalants

96% have never taken a prescription drug without a doctor’s permission

Substance-free students are better learners Fewer students who get mostly A’s have EVER used marijuana compared to students who get mostly D’s/F’s 10%

vs.

33%

Fewer students who get mostly A’s currently use marijuana compared to students who get mostly D’s/F’s 5%

vs.

25%

The above information is from the 2013 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and can be found in more detail at www.bpshealthandwellness.org. more information about the national YRBS can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/HealthYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

4 (3 - 6)

4 (3 - 5)

3 (2 - 6) 17 (13 - 21) 9 (7 - 13) 4 (2 - 7) 2 (1 - 5)

2 (1 - 8) 15 (11 - 21) 8 (5 - 14) 3 (2 - 6) 3 (1 - 6)

3 (2 - 5)

3

8 (6 - 12) 3 (1 - 5) 0 (0 - 2) 0 (0 - 2) 2 (1 - 4)

Black†

(1 - 8)

11 (7 - 18) 1 (0 - 5) 1 (0 - 4) 3 (1 - 8) 1 (0 - 4)

(4 - 7)

(5 - 8)

White† (Reference Group)

17 (14 - 20) 11 (8 - 14) 5

16 (14 - 19) 10 (8 - 12) 7 4 (3 - 6)

(6 - 11)

16 (13 - 20) 9 (7 - 13) 8*

(2 - 5)

3

(2 - 6)

11 (9 - 14) 3 (2 - 4) 0 (0 - 1) 1 (1 - 3) 2 (1 - 4) 4

Female

3 (1 - 8)

(4 - 14)

10 (6 - 15) 5 (2 - 12) 8

(2 - 7)

4

(3 - 10)

5

3 (2 - 7) 3 (2 - 7) 1 (0 - 5) 4 (2 - 9) 3* (2 - 7)

Asian

Race/Ethnicity % (95% CI)

5 (3 - 7)

4

(4 - 8)

(3 - 7) (3 - 6)

11 (9 - 14) 4 (3 - 6) 1 (1 - 3) 3 (2 - 5) 3 (2 - 5) 5

Male (Reference Group)

Sex % (95% CI)

11 (9 - 13) 3 (2 - 5) 1 (0 - 2) 2 (1 - 4) 3 (2 - 4) 5

Total % (95% CI§)

6* (4 - 8)

(7 - 13)

18 (14 - 23) 13 (10 - 16) 9*

(3 - 8)

5

(4 - 10)

6

14 (12 - 17) 4* (3 - 7) 1 (0 - 3) 3* (2 - 6) 3* (2 - 6)

Hispanic/Latino

6 (4 - 9)

(4 - 11)

13 (11 - 16) 8 (5 - 11) 7

(1 - 6)

3

(3 - 8)

7 (5 - 9) 3 (2 - 6) 0 (0 - 2) 1 (1 - 3) 2 (1 - 4) 5

6 (Reference Group)

*Significantly different than reference group (p<0.05) The reference group in each demographic category is used as a standardized comparison group specific to each question.

An interpretation of these data would read "Compared to White students, Hispanic/Latino students were more likely to have smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days."

Ever took a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription

Ever sniffed glue, breathed the contents of spray cans, or inhaled any paint or sprays to get high

Used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days

Ever used marijuana

Had a usual source for their own tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos during the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes or cigars or used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days

Have smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars on one or more of the past 30 days

Used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes on 20 or more of the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days

Had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior

Ever took a prescription drug without a doctor's prescription

Ever sniffed glue, breathed the contents of spray cans, or inhaled any paint or sprays to get high

Used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days

Ever used marijuana

Had a usual source for their own tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, or cigarillos during the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes or cigars or used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days

Have smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars on one or more of the past 30 days

Used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes on 20 or more of the past 30 days

Smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days

Had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days

Percentage of students who…

Health Behavior 8

3 (2 - 5)

(4 - 8)

20* (17 - 24) 9 (7 - 13) 6

(3 - 8)

5

(4 - 10)

14 (11 - 18) 4* (2 - 7) 1* (0 - 3) 3* (1 - 6) 3* (2 - 6) 6*

4 (3 - 5)

(4 - 8)

15 (13 - 18) 9 (7 - 11) 6

(2 - 4)

3

(2 - 6)

4

11 (9 - 13) 3 (2 - 4) 1 (0 - 1) 2 (1 - 3) 2 (1 - 3)

9 (5 - 17)

(11 - 24)

34* (26 - 43) 27* (18 - 37) 16*

(6 - 25)

12*

(11 - 30)

19*

19 (12 - 29) 8 (3 - 17) 2 (1 - 7) 8 (3 - 16) 12* (6 - 22)

Heterosexual Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual (Reference Group)

Sexual Identity % (95% CI)

3* (2 - 4)

(4 - 11)

14 (10 - 18) 10 (7 - 13) 7

(1 - 5)

3

(1 - 5)

10 (7 - 12) 2 (1 - 4) 0 (0 - 2) 1 (0 - 3) 1 (1 - 3) 3

7

Grade % (95% CI)