The purpose of this study was to examine selected physical activity and nutrition habits in a select group of primarily minority SC high school students in a summer college preparatory program. A total of 89 students (49 women, 40 men) participated in a battery of fitness tests and completed a CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Complete sedentary behavior was reported by 20% of the students, and 23% of the students reported exercising only 1-2 days per week. Over 50% of the students reported that they had not participated in muscular strengthening activity on a regular basis, and only 33% reported significant physical activity in their physical education courses. Chronic hypertension was observed in 15% of the students, and obesity was found in 25% of women and 5% of men. Approximately 60% of students reported consuming 0-1 servings of vegetables. Over 70% of participants reported consuming two or more meats each day, 95% reported consuming French fries and/or chips on a daily basis, and 65% reported consuming several high sugar foods each day. Despite the students’ strong academic standing, their physical activity habits reflect similar patterns to other SC minority youth suggesting that further interventions are needed to improve the health status of even the brightest minority youth.
Learning Objectives: 1. Participants will be able to identify physical activity habits that need further attention in health programming for minority youth. 2. Participants will be able to identify nutritional behaviors that need to be targeted for improvement in minority youth. 3. Participants will be able to understand factors that may be related to why academic performance and health habits do not correlate in adolescents.
Keywords: Physical Activity, Nutrition
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grant - The Greenville Hospital System