2011
Charlotte Mecklenburg
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Health Risk Behaviors
For High School Students
A collaborative report from
Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and
Mecklenburg County Health Department
Release Date: April 2012
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
2011
Charlotte Mecklenburg
Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Introduction
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), produced by the Centers for Disease Control and
conducted every two years, assesses health risk behaviors that contribute to some of the
leading causes of morbidity and mortality in youth.
The survey measures behaviors such as: unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco,
alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually
transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies; nutrition; and physical activity. The
YRBS also measures self-reported height and weight to allow calculation of body mass
index.
New Questions for 2011
Several new questions were added to the local CMS survey in 2011. New questions that
were asked included:
•
Texting while driving
•
Weapons possession
•
Self-mutilation (i.e. cutting or burning oneself on purpose)
•
Bullied or harassed because of being gay, lesbian or bisexual
•
Being pregnant or have got someone pregnant
•
Fasting (going with food for 24 hours or more)
•
Doctor/Nurse discussions of maintaining healthy weight
•
Support when feeling sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious
The complete list of questions can be found on page 11 of this report.
i
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Table 1. Demographic Profile for Charlotte Mecklenburg High School Students
Characteristics of Students Participating in the
Charlotte Mecklenburg High School YRBS
Total Number of Students Surveyed 1,555
Gender
Male
Female
Race/Ethnicity
Black
Hispanic/Latino
White
All other races
Multiple races
Grade
9th
10th
11th
12th
Ungraded or other grade
Age Group
≤ 15 years
16-17 years
≥ 18 years
Number
Weighted
Percentage
817
727
50.3%
49.7%
583
265
471
104
86
44.4%
13.6%
33.6%
4.6%
3.8%
467
328
347
391
10
31.6%
26.5%
22.0%
12.3%
0.6%
579
702
271
40.7%
45.3%
14.0%
ii
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
HIGH SCHOOL Students
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Introduction----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - i
Demographic Profile-------------------------------------------- --------------------------------- ii
Bullying-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Unintentional Injury and Violence---------------------------------------------------------2
Psychological Health----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
Substance Abuse--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -4
Physical Activity -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------5
Weight Management and Nutrition------------------------------------------------------6
Sexual Behavior------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------7
Selected Health Conditions------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Developmental Assets---------------------------------------------------------------------------9
2011 New Questions -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Academics and Health Behaviors -------------------------------------------------------- 13
iii
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Bullying on School Property
In 2009 the Centers for Disease Control
modified questions on bullying. Current
questions exclude the term harassment while
adding a definition for bullying. Due to these
changes in survey questions, caution should be
used in comparing 2009 data with previous
years.
•
The percentage of teens who reported
being bullied on school property slightly
increased from 2007 to 2011 (16.4% and
18.8% respectively).
•
Being bullied or teased because of physical
appearance and/ or race remained steady
from 2007 to 2011.
•
Over half of all teens report that
harassment and bullying by other teens is a
problem at their school.
•
Almost 12% of teens reported being bullied
because someone thought they were gay,
lesbian or bisexual. This was a new
question in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg
survey for 2011 and there is no NC
comparison.
Figure 1. Bullying and Harassment
2007
Bullying and Harassment
2009
2011
Meck
NC
Meck
Been bullied on school property in the past 12 months
20%
22%
16%
17% 19%
21%
Have been the victim of teasing or name calling because of their
weight, size, or physical appearance in the past month
21%
20%
27%
N/A
28%
N/A
Have been the victim of teasing or name calling because of their race or
ethnic background in the past month
14%
N/A
18%
N/A
18%
N/A
Have been electronically bullied, such as through email, chat rooms,
instant messaging, Web sites, or text messaging in the past month
N/A
N/A
12%
14% 16%
16%
Have ever been the victim of teasing or name calling during the past 12
months because someone thought they were gay, lesbian, or bisexual
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
12%
13%
Agree or strongly agree that harassment and bullying by other students
is a problem at their school
40%
43%
45%
N/A
51%
N/A
1
NC
Meck
NC
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Unintentional Injury and Violence
Figure 2. Unintentional Injury and Violence
•
The percentage of high-school teens who
reported never or rarely wearing a seat belt
while riding in a car increased in 2011 to
11.3% after decreasing to 7.8% in 2009
•
Driving a car when they had been drinking
also increased to 8.1%, up from 6.5% in
2007.
•
Having been threatened or injured with a
weapon such as gun, knife, or club on
school property during the past year
significantly increased from 6.4% in 2007 to
10.2% in 2011.
•
Domestic violence among teens is also on
the rise. About 14% of teens reported
being physically hurt by their
boyfriend/girlfriend in 2011, higher than
10.7% in 2007.
•
Talking and/or texting on cell phones while
driving have become more prevalent in
recent years. To address these issues 2 new
questions were added to the Charlotte
Mecklenburg YRBS.
•
Thirty percent of teens reported either texting or
emailing while driving a car or other vehicle within
the past month.
•
Over 30% of teens reported talking on a cell phone
while driving a car or other vehicle in the past month
2007
Unintentional Injury and Violence
2009
2011
Meck
NC
Meck
NC
Meck
NC
9%
8%
8%
7%
11%
8%
22%
25%
23%
21% 24%
21%
7%
9%
6%
Carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, club in the past month
17%
21%
Someone stolen or deliberately damaged your property such as your
car, clothing, or books on school property in the past 12 months
25%
Never or rarely wore a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone
else
Rode in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol in the
past month
Drove a car or other vehicle when they had been drinking alcohol in the
past month
Had been threatned or injured by a weapon in the past 12 months
Been in a physical fight in the past 12 months
Physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend in the past 12
months
Did not go to school because they felt unsafe at school or on their way
to or from school in the past month
2
8%
8%
6%
14%
20% 16%
21%
27%
30%
29% 30%
N/A
6%
7%
8%
30%
30%
11%
5%
7%
10%
9%
31%
29% 32%
28%
13%
12%
13% 14%
14%
7%
5%
6%
8%
7%
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Psychological Health
•
Almost 15% of teens reported that they
considered attempting suicide, a slight
increase from 2009 (11.5%).
•
Making a plan to attempt suicide also
increased from 10.3% in 2007 to nearly 13%
in 2011.
•
Actual suicide attempts by teens climbed to
15.3% in 2011 from 12.7% in 2007.
•
In 2011 a self-injury question was added to
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS. Almost
19% of teens reported doing something to
purposely hurt themselves without wanting
to die, such as cutting or burning
themselves on purpose, one or more times
during the past 12 months.
Figure 3. Psychological Health
Psychological Health
Felt so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a
row that they stopped doing some usual activities during the past 12
months
Most of the time or always get the kind of help they need when they
feel sad, empty, hopeless, angry, or anxious
2007
Meck
NC
2009
Meck NC
2011
Meck NC
28%
27%
28%
27% 30%
28%
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
21%
N/A
Seriously considered attempting suicide in the past 12 months
12%
13%
14%
13% 15%
14%
Made a plan about how they would attempt suicide in the past 12
months
10%
10%
10%
10% 13%
14%
Attempted suicide one or more times in the past 12 months
13%
13%
14%
10% 15%
5%
Did something to purposely hurt themselves without wanting to die,
such as cutting or burning themselves on purpose, one or more times
during the past 12 months
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
3
19%
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Substance Abuse
•
Marijuana use increased significantly
among teens from 2007 to 2011. Over a
quarter of teens report having ever used
marijuana.
•
Almost 40% of teens reported having being
offered, sold or given drugs on school
property, up from about 32% in 2007.
•
Binge drinking among teens decreased
slightly between 2007 and 2009 (15.8% to
14.3%), but increased again in 2011 (15.6%)
Figure 4. Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse
2007
Meck
NC
2009
Meck NC
Smoked cigarettes on one or more days in the past 30 days
15%
23%
13%
18% 14%
18%
Had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more days in the past 30
days
34%
38%
33%
35% 34%
34%
Had 5 or more drinks of alcohol in a row within a couple of hours (binge
drinking) in the past month
16%
21%
14%
19% 16%
18%
Used marijuana one or more times in the past month
20%
19%
21%
20% 28%
24%
Sniffed glue, breathed the contents of aerosol spray cans, or inhaled
any paints or sprays to get high one or more times during their life
12%
14%
11%
12% 12%
11%
Offered, sold, or given an illegal drug by someone on school property in
the past 12 months
32%
29%
38%
30% 38%
30%
4
2011
Meck NC
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Physical Activity
•
The percentage of teens who reported
being physically active for 60 minutes per
day on five out of seven days decreased
from about 43% in 2007 to almost 40% in
2011.
•
Over a third of teens reported playing video
or computer games for something that was
not school work three or more hours per
day on an average school day in 2011, an
increase from 2007 (20.2%)
•
In 2011 a new question was added that
asked about participation in sports teams.
Almost half of teens reported having played
on one or more sports teams during the
past 12 months.
Figure 5. Physical Activity
2007
Meck
NC
2009
Meck NC
43%
44%
43%
46% 40%
48%
40%
42%
46%
N/A
36%
N/A
Attended physical education (PE) classes daily in an average week when
they are in school
22%
29%
26%
N/A
18%
N/A
Played video or computer games or used a computer for something that
was not school work three or more hours per day on an average school
day
20%
21%
26%
24% 34%
28%
Watched three or more hours per day of TV on an average school day
37%
35%
42%
36% 37%
35%
Physical Activity
Physically active for a total of 60 minutes or more per day on five or
more of the past seven days
Attended physical education (PE) classes on one or more days in an
average week when they are in school
5
2011
Meck NC
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Weight Management and Nutrition
•
The percentage of teens that are
overweight slightly decreased while the
percentage of those who are obese slightly
increased from 2007 to 2011.
•
Over a quarter of teens described
themselves as overweight.
•
More than 40% of teens are trying to lose
weight.
•
New questions that addressed fasting,
energy drink and fruit and vegetable
consumption were added to the CharlotteMecklenburg YRBS.
o More than 10% of students
reported going without eating for
24 hours or more to lose weight or
to keep from gaining weight during
the past month.
o
Over 7% of students reported
drinking a can, bottle or glass of an
energy drink, such as Red Bull or
Jolt, one or more times per day
during the past seven days.
o
Almost 23% of students reported
eating fruits and vegetables five or
more times a day during the past
d
Figure 6. Weight Management and Nutrition
Weight Management
2007
Meck
NC
2009
Meck NC
Overweight (at or above the 85th percentile but below the 95th
percentile for body mass index, by age and sex)
17%
17%
17%
15% 15%
16%
Obese (at or above the 95th percentile for body mass index, by age
and sex)
10%
13%
11%
13% 13%
13%
Described themselves as slightly or very overweight
24%
26%
28%
28% 26%
27%
Are trying to lose weight
40%
45%
44%
46% 42%
45%
6
2011
Meck NC
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Sexual Behavior
•
Approximately half of all teens reported
ever having sexual intercourse.
•
In 2011, almost 20% of teens reported
having had sexual intercourse with four or
more people in their lifetime. This was an
increase, up from 15.7% in 2007.
•
Having drunk alcohol before sexual
intercourse greatly increased from 15.2% in
2007 to 26% in 2011.
•
New questions that addressed teen
pregnancy and HIV awareness were added
to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS.
•
Over 8% of teens reported having been
pregnant or have gotten someone pregnant
one or more times in their lifetime.
•
The majority of teens (84%) reported
having been taught in school about AIDS or
HIV infection.
Figure 7. Sexual Behavior
Ever had sexual intercourse
2007
Meck
NC
47%
52%
2009
2011
Meck NC Meck NC
50% 51% 50% 49%
Had sexual intercourse with four or more people during their lifetime
16%
16%
17%
13% 20%
17%
Drank alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse
15%
21%
19%
28% 26%
25%
Parents or other adults in their family talked with them about what they
expect them to do or not to do when it comes to sex
76%
75%
78%
46%
77%
Sexual Behavior
7
N/A
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Selected Health Conditions
•
In 2011 about 25% of teens reported ever
being told that they have asthma. This was
an increase from 2007 when the
percentage was 18.1%.
•
The percentage of teens that saw a doctor
or nurse within the past 12 months for a
physical or check-up (without being sick)
increased from 61% to 64% between 2007
and 2011.
Figure 8. Selected Health Conditions
Selected Health Issues
2007
Meck
NC
2009
Meck NC
Ever been told by a doctor or nurse that they had asthma
18%
20%
19%
22% 24%
23%
Last saw a doctor or nurse during the past 12 months for a check-up or
physical exam when they were not sick or injured
61%
60%
62%
64% 64%
N/A
Last saw a dentist during the past 12 months for a check-up, exam,
teeth cleaning or other dental work
66%
67%
67%
69%
N/A
8
2011
Meck NC
N/A
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Developmental Assets
Figure 9. Developmental Assets
Developmental assets are the experiences and
opportunities that all young people need to
grow into healthy, responsible adults.
Research has shown that the more assets young
people, the less likely they are to engage in
high-risk behaviors.
•
The percentage of teens who reported
being alone after school without a parent or
trusted adult three or more hours per day
on an average school day increased slightly
from 33% in 2007 to almost 37% in 2011.
•
In 2011, about 78% of teens reported that
their parents or other adults in the teens’
family have clear rules and standards for
the teens’ behavior, down from 87% in
2007.
•
More than half of the teens report that in
their community they feel like they matter
to people.
•
Approximately 21% of teens most of the time or
always get the kind of help they need when they feel
sad, empty, hopeless, angry or anxious.
•
New questions were added to the Charlotte
Mecklenburg YRBS that addressed teens
having the emotional support when
needed.
•
Almost 30% of teens talked to a teacher or other
adult in their school about a personal problem they
had during the past 12 months.
Assets for Healthy Youth Developments
2007
Meck
2009
Meck
2011
Meck
33%
33%
37%
85%
87%
77%
46%
42%
53%
Get eight or more hours of sleep on an average school night
23%
23%
21%
Ate breakfast on seven of the past seven days
33%
34%
N/A
Definitely/Probably will complete a post high school program such as a
vocational training program, military service, community college, or 4year college
88%
82%
83%
Are alone after school without a parent or trusted adult three or more
hours per day on an average school day
Agree/Strongly Agree that their parents or other adults in the
student's family have clear rules and standards for the student's
behavior
Agree or strongly agree that in their community they feel like they
matter to people
9
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Developmental Assets
•
The percentage of teens reporting that they
get 8 or more hours of sleep on an average
school night remained stable from 2009 to
2011 (21%).
•
More than 80% of teens also reported that
they either probably or definitely will
complete a post high school program such
as a vocational training program, military,
community college, or a 4-year college.
Figure 10. Developmental Assets
10
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
HIGH SCHOOL Students
New Questions for 2011 YRBS
11
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
New Questions for 2011 YRBS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg High Schools
Unintentional Injuries and Violence
%
Texted or emailed while driving a car or other vehicle on one or more days of the past 30 days
Talked on a cell phone while driving a car or other vehicle on one or more of the past 30 days
Carried a gun on one or more days
30.0%
30.2%
5.4%
Psychological
Most of the time or always get the kind of help they need when they feel sad, empty, hopeless,
angry, or anxious
Did something to purposely hurt themselves without wanting to die, such as cutting or burning
themselves on purpose, one or more times during the past 12 months
21.3%
18.9%
Bullying and Harassment
Have ever been the victim of teasing or name calling during the past 12 months because someone
thought they were gay, lesbian, or bisexual
11.9%
Sexual Behavior
Have been pregnant or gotten someone pregnant one or more times
8.6%
Weight Management
Went without eating for 24 hours or more to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight during the
past 30 days
Doctor or nurse discussed how to maintain healthy weight during their last check-up
10.3%
45.2%
Nutrition
Drank a can, bottle, or glass of an energy drink, such as Red Bull or Jolt, one or more times per day
during the past seven days
Ate fruits and vegetables 5 or more times a day during the past 7 days
Ate fruits 2 or more times per day and ate vegetables 3 or more times per day during the past 7 days
Ate fruits 2 or more times per day during the past 7 days
Ate vegetables 3 or more times per day during the past 7 days
7.6%
22.7%
9.6%
36.5%
13.4%
Physical Activity
Played on one or more sports team during the past 12 months
49.3%
Assets for Healthy Development
Talked to a teacher or other adult in their school about a personal problem they had during the past
12 months
29.5%
NOTES:
The above questions were added to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School survey in 2011. These
questions were added locally; North Carolina or United States data do not exist for comparison.
12
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
HIGH SCHOOL Students
Health Behaviors and Academics
13
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Health Behaviors and Academics
Figure 1. Physical Activity & Nutrition
Figure 2. Assets for Health Development
14
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Health Behaviors and Academics
Figure 3. Unintentional Injury & Violence
Figure 4. Psychological
15
2011 Charlotte-Mecklenburg YRBS
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Health Behaviors and Academics
Figure 5. Substance Abuse
Figure 6. Sexual Behavior
16