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BACKGROUND: The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is a biannual survey representative of public middle and high school students. The YRBS monitors priority health-risk behaviors that put youth at risk for the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, including nutrition and physical activity. Previously, little information has been collected on students’ perceptions of healthy eating and physical activity. The Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) added 6 novel questions to the 2013 YRBS to assess students’ perceptions of healthy eating and physical activity.
METHODS: Student perceptions of healthy eating were defined using responses to questions assessing what healthy eating is for students and where and why students are most likely to eat healthy foods. Student perceptions of physical activity were defined using responses to questions assessing where, why, and with whom the students exercise. Descriptive statistics were performed on middle and high school students’ perceptions of healthy eating and physical activity by demography (sex, race/ethnicity, and grade) on the 2013 YRBS using SAS-callable SUDAAN 11.0.1.
RESULTS: 43.6% of high school and 52.4% of middle school students perceived “eating fruits and vegetables” as the statement best describing healthy eating. Compared to black, non-hispanic high students (9.1%), a significantly greater percent of white, non-hispanic students (15.4%) were likely to eat healthy foods to look good. Middle school females (14.8%) were significantly more likely than middle school males (6.8%) to eat healthy foods to look good. 14.9% and 11.7% of middle and high school students, respectively, were most likely to healthy foods at school, whereas 71.4% and 72.8%, respectively, were most likely to eat healthy foods at home. White, non-hispanic high school students (36.2%) were significantly more likely than hispanic/latino students (25.0%) to exercise at school. Compared to white, non-hispanic middle school students (16.8%), black, non-hispanic middle school students (23.6%) were significantly more likely to exercise at school. Male high school students (47.4%) were significantly more likely than female high school students (33.6%) to exercise with friends.
CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences exist by sex, race/ethnicity, grade, and school level (middle or high) for the assessed perceptions of healthy eating and physical activity. The Governor's Childhood Obesity Initiative (Georgia SHAPE), led by Georgia's Public Health Commissioner, will use these results to inform The Governor's Advisory Council on Childhood Obesity’s initiatives, programs and strategies. Future surveillance efforts that build on these results would further enhance the effectiveness of GDPH’s nutrition and physical activity programs.