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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Richard Lowry, MD, MS1, Howell Wechsler, EdD, MPH1, Deborah A. Galuska, PhD2, Janet E. Fulton, PhD2, and Laura Kann, PhD1. (1) Division of Adolescent and School Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., N.E., (Mailstop K33), Atlanta, GA 30341-3717, (770) 488-6176, rxl1@cdc.gov, (2) Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy., N.E, (Mailstop K26), Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Background: Childhood obesity has more than doubled over the past 20 years, and is the most prevalent nutritional disease among youth in the United States. Physical activity is an essential element of efforts to promote healthy weight among youth. Methods: As part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System, 6 national school-based surveys were conducted between 1991 and 2001. Each survey employed a three-stage cross-sectional sample of students in grades 9-12. African American and Hispanic students were oversampled. Each survey provided self-report data from approximately 14,000 students. Secular trends were analyzed using logistic regression models that controlled for gender, race/ethnicity, and grade in school. Results: From 1991-2001, the prevalence of female students who were trying to lose weight or stay the same weight did not change significantly (77.1% to 78.3%); among male students, the prevalence of trying to lose weight or stay the same weight increased significantly (40.5% to 50.2%) while the prevalence of trying to gain weight decreased significantly (32.7% to 26.3%). Among female and male students who were trying to lose weight or stay the same weight, the use of exercise for weight control and participation in strengthening exercises ³3 days/week both increased significantly over time; among male students, participation in vigorous physical activity ³3 days/week decreased significantly over time. Secular trends among racial and ethnic subgroups of female and male students also were identified. Conclusion: These findings suggest an increasing interest in the use of exercise for weight control among adolescents.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to
Keywords: Exercise, Weight Management
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.