Health behaviors among Georgia youth

1993.2003 Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

Acknowledgements
Georgia Department of Human Resources Maria Greene, Acting Commissioner
Division of Public Health Kathleen E. Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., Director
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Branch Carol B. Steiner, R.N., M.N., Acting Director
Family Health Branch Rosalyn Bacon, M.P.H., Director
Epidemiology Branch Paul A. Blake, M.D., M.P.H., Director
Georgia Department of Education Kathy Cox, State Superintendent of Schools
Learning Support Division Phil Hulst, Director
ORC Macro Applied Research Division James G. Ross, M.S., Senior Vice President Katherine H. Flint, M.A., Technical Director Lori A. Marshall, M.H.S., Technical Writer Courtney Mooney, M.A., Technical Writer

Suggested Citation: Kanny D., Powell KE. Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003. Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, December 2003. Publication Number: DPH03/137HW

Acknowledgements

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

i

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Personal Safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Violence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Suicide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Alcohol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Marijuana . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 Other Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Body Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 Physical Activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 AIDS Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 Appendix A Survey Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38 Appendix B Detailed Data Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

Table of Contents

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

ii

Introduction
Many of the behaviors that put adults at greater risk for disease and death are initiated in adolescence, including tobacco use, physical inactivity, poor dietary habits, and behaviors that result in injuries. The purpose of the Georgia Student Health Survey (GSHS) is to monitor priority health-risk behaviors that put youth at risk for the leading causes of morbidity, mortality, and social problems. Topics covered by the GSHS include unintentional injuries and violence; tobacco use; alcohol and other drug use; dietary behaviors; and physical activity. By monitoring these behaviors, Georgia can assess the overall progress of programs and policies to reduce the percentage of youth who are at risk for developing what are, by and large, preventable health problems. The Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS) and GSHS use identical sampling and data collection methods. They differ only in that some of the questions in the YRBS were not included in the GSHS.
This report compares the results of the 1993 YRBS to those of the 2003 GSHS. Although there were some encouraging changes from 1993 to 2003, especially in the areas of personal safety, violence, and suicide, there were also increases in the percentage of students who engaged in certain drug-related health-risk behaviors.
The results of these surveys apply to public school students in grades 9 through 12. Throughout the report, when changes are said to be significant, there is no overlap in the 95 percent confidence intervals of the percentages being compared. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals for each percentage are presented in the detailed data tables found in Appendix B and the wording of the questions is presented in Appendix A.
Notable positive trends emerged from 1993 to 2003, including: Fewer students report never or rarely wearing a bicycle helmet. Fewer students report never or rarely wearing a seat belt when riding in a car. Fewer students report riding in a car with a driver who has been drinking alcohol. Fewer students are carrying weapons, including guns. Fewer students are engaging in physical fighting, including physical fighting on school property. Fewer students report suicidal ideation and fewer are attempting suicide. More students are being taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school.
However, Georgia high school students continue to engage in drug-related risk behaviors. Specifically, from 1993 to 2003: More students have used marijuana at some point in their lives. More students currently use marijuana. More students have used cocaine at some point in their lives. More students report being offered, sold, or given illegal drugs on school property.

Introduction

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

1

Bicycle Helmet Use
Of students who rode a bicycle during the past 12 months, the percentage who never or rarely wore a bicycle helmet.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who never or rarely wore a bicycle helmet among: - High school students overall: from 97% to 86%; - Male students: from 97% to 88%; - Female students: from 97% to 84%; - White students: from 97% to 81%; - 9th grade students: from 96% to 81%; - 10th grade students: from 97% to 88%; - 11th grade students: from 99% to 91%; and - 12th grade students: from 97% to 88%.

percent

Students who Never or Rarely Wore a Bicycle Helmet
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

100

97

86

80

97 88

97 84

60

40

20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Never or Rarely Wore a Bicycle Helmet
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

100

98 93

97

81 80

60

40

20

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Never or Rarely Wore a Bicycle Helmet by GRADE
1993 2003

100 96
81 80

97 88

99 91

97 88

60

40

20

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Personal Safety

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

2

Seat Belt Use

The percentage of students who never or rarely wear a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who never or rarely wear a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else among: - High school students overall: from 26% to 9%; - Male students: from 31% to 12%; - Female students: from 21% to 7%; - African-American students: from 28% to 9%; - White students: from 24% to 9%; - 9th grade students: from 31% to 8%; - 10th grade students: from 23% to 10%; and - 12th grade students: from 25% to 11%.

Students who Never or Rarely Wear a Seat Belt
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
40

30

28

20

10

9

24 9

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Never or Rarely Wear a Seat Belt
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40

30 26
20
9 10

31 12

21 7

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Never or Rarely Wear a Seat Belt by GRADE
1993 2003
40

31 30

20

10

8

23 10

22 9

25 11

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Personal Safety

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

3

Riding with a Drunk Driver
The percentage of students who, during the past 30 days, rode one or more times in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who rode in a vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol among: - High school students overall: from 36% to 24%; - Male students: from 37% to 24%; - Female students: from 34% to 24%; - African-American students: from 39% to 23%; - White students: from 34% to 24%; - 9th grade students: from 33% to 22%; and - 12th grade students: from 42% to 26%.

Students who Rode in a Vehicle Driven by Someone who had been Drinking Alcohol
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
50

40

39

30 23
20

34 24

10

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Rode in a Vehicle Driven by Someone who had been Drinking Alcohol
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
50

40 36
30 24
20

37 24

34 24

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Rode in a Vehicle Driven by Someone who had been Drinking Alcohol
by GRADE
1993 2003

50
40 33
30 22
20

35 25

34 23

42 26

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Personal Safety

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

4

Drinking and Driving
The percentage of students who, during the past 30 days, drove a car or other vehicle one or more times when they had been drinking alcohol.
From 1993 to 2003, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of students who drove a car one or more times in the past 30 days after drinking alcohol among: - Male students: from 17% to 10%.

Students who Drove a Vehicle After Drinking Alcohol
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
30

20

10

8

4

0 African American

17 11
White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Drove a Vehicle After Drinking Alcohol
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
30

20

13

10

8

0 Total

17 10
Males

9 6
Females

Students who Drove a Vehicle After Drinking Alcohol
by GRADE
1993 2003
30
23

20

14

14

10

8

10 8

9

4

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Personal Safety

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

5

Weapon Carrying
The percentage of students who carried a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club on one or more of the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who carried a weapon on one or more of the past 30 days among: - High school students overall: from 28% to 19%; - Male students: from 43% to 31%; - Female students: from 13% to 6%; - African-American students: from 25% to 13%; - White students: from 29% to 22%; and - 9th grade students: from 30% to 21%.

Students who Carried a Weapon by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 50

40

30 25
20 13
10

29 22

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Carried a Weapon TOTAL and by SEX

50

40

30

28

1993 2003 43 31

20

19

10

0 Total

Males

13 6
Females

Students who Carried a Weapon by GRADE
1993 2003 50

40

30

30

21 20

10

30 19

24 17

25 17

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Violence

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

6

Gun Carrying
The percentage of students who carried a gun on one or more of the past 30 days.
There were significant decreases in the percentages of students who carried a gun on one or more of the past 30 days among: - High school students overall: from 11% to 7%; and - Male students: from 18% to 11%.

percent

Students who Carried a Gun TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003 30

20
11 10
7
0 Total

18 11
Males

4 2
Females

Students who Carried a Gun by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
30

20

12

10

7

0 African American

9 7
White

percent

Students who Carried a Gun by GRADE
1993 2003 30

20
12 10
7
0 9th

97 10th

11 5
11th

11 7
12th

percent

Violence

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

7

Physical Fighting
The percentage of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who were in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months among: - High school students overall: from 41% to 31%; - Female students: from 37% to 22%; - White students: from 39% to 29%; and - 9th grade students: from 49% to 34%.

Students who were in a Physical Fight by RACE/ETHNICITY

1993 2003

50 44
40 33
30

39 29

20

10

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who were in a Physical Fight TOTAL and by SEX

50 41
40
31 30
20

1993 2003
45 40

37 22

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who were in a Physical Fight by GRADE

50

49

40 34
30

1993 2003

40 34

35 29

35 26

20

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Violence

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

8

Injuries Resulting from Physical Fighting
The percentage of students who were injured in a physical fight one or more times during the past 12 months and had to be treated by a doctor or nurse. From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of high
school students who were injured in a physical fight and had to be treated by a doctor or nurse, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.
Students who were Injured in a Physical Fight and had to be Treated by a Doctor or Nurse by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 10

percent

Students who were Injured in a Physical Fight and had to be Treated by a Doctor or Nurse TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
10

5 4 3
0 Total

55 Males

3 2
Females

Students who were Injured in a Physical Fight and had to be Treated by a Doctor or Nurse by GRADE
1993 2003
10

percent

percent

Violence

5 4
3
0 African American

4 3
White

5 4 3
0 9th

5 4
10th

33 11th

5 2
12th

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

9

Physical Fighting on School Property
The percentage of students who were in a physical fight on school property one or more times during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who were in a physical fight on school property one or more times during the past 12 months among: - High school students overall: from 16% to 11%; and - African-American students: from 19% to 12%.

percent

Students who were in a Physical Fight on School Property
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
30

20 16
11 10

20 15

12 8

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who were in a Physical Fight on School Property
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
30

20

19

12 10

14 10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who were in a Physical Fight on School Property by GRADE
1993 2003
30

22 20
14
10

18 12

11 10

11 7

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Violence

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

10

Suicidal Thoughts
The percentage of students who seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who seriously considered attempting suicide among: - High school students overall: from 24% to 16%; - Female students: from 30% to 20%; - White students: from 26% to 17%; - 9th grade students: from 25% to 17%; and - 12th grade students: from 23% to 14%.

percent

Students who Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40

30 24
20 16
10

18 13

30 20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
40

30

20

18

16

10

26 17

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Seriously Considered Attempting Suicide by GRADE
1993 2003
40

30 25
20 17
10

26 18

19 15

23 14

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Suicide

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

11

Plans for Suicide
The percentage of students who made a plan about how they would attempt suicide during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who made a plan about how they would attempt suicide among: - High school students overall: from 19% to 13%; - Female students: from 25% to 15%; - White students: from 20% to 12%; - 9th grade students: from 20% to 13%; and - 10th grade students: from 24% to 13%.

percent

Students who Made a Plan about how they Would Attempt Suicide
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
30
25

20

19

15

13

14

11 10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Made a Plan about how they Would Attempt Suicide by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
30

20 16 14
10

20 12

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Made a Plan about how they Would Attempt Suicide by GRADE
1993 2003
30

20

20

13 10

24 13

14 14

17 11

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Suicide

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

12

Suicide Attempts
The percentage of students who actually attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who attempted suicide one or more times during the past 12 months among: - High school students overall: from 11% to 9%; and - Female students: from 15% to 9%.

percent

Students who Attempted Suicide TOTAL and by SEX

1993 2003 20

11

10

9

78

15 9

Students who Attempted Suicide by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 20

10

11

10

11 7

percent

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Attempted Suicide by GRADE
1993 2003
20

14
10 10

12 9

9 7

87

percent

Suicide

0 African American

White

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

13

Injuries Resulting from Suicide Attempts
The percentage of students whose attempted suicide during the past 12 months resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse. From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of
high school students whose attempted suicide resulted in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that required medical attention, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.
Students whose Attempted Suicide Resulted in an Injury, Poisoning, or Overdose that Required Medical Attention
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 10

percent

Students whose Attempted Suicide Resulted in an Injury, Poisoning, or Overdose that Required Medical Attention
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
10

5 33
0 Total

3 1 Males

5 3
Females

Students whose Attempted Suicide Resulted in an Injury, Poisoning, or Overdose that Required Medical Attention
by GRADE
1993 2003
10

percent

percent

Suicide

5 4
2
0 African American

3 2
White

5 4 3
0 9th

4 3
10th

3 2
11th

4 3
12th

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

14

Cigarette Use Before Age 13
The percentage of students who smoked a whole cigarette for the first time before age 13.
There were significant decreases in the percentages of students who smoked a whole cigarette for the first time before age 13 among: - High school students overall: from 27% to 19%; - Male students: from 29% to 22%; - Female students: from 25% to 16%; - White students: from 31% to 21%; and - 9th grade students: from 29% to 18%.

Students who Smoked a Whole Cigarette Before Age 13
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
40

31 30

21

21

20

15

10

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Smoked a Whole Cigarette Before Age 13
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40

30

27

20

19

10

29 22

25 16

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Smoked a Whole Cigarette Before Age 13 by GRADE
1993 2003
40

30

29

20

18

27 20

27 19

22 19

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Tobacco

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

15

Current Cigarette Use
The percentage of students who smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of high school students who smoked cigarettes on one or more of the past 30 days, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

Students who Smoked Cigarettes on One or More of the Past 30 Days by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

40

33

30

29

20

10

10

9

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Smoked Cigarettes on One or More of the Past 30 Days TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40

30
24 21
20

25 23

24 19

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Smoked Cigarettes on One or More of the Past 30 Days by GRADE
1993 2003
40

30

22

20

18

24 19

29 25

22 23

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Tobacco

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

16

Current Chewing Tobacco Use
The percentage of students who used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of high school students who used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip on one or more of the past 30 days, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

percent

Students who Used Chewing Tobacco, Snuff, or Dip on One or More of the Past 30 Days
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
20 18
14
10 10
8

0 Total

Males

2 1
Females

Students who Used Chewing Tobacco, Snuff, or Dip on One or More of the Past 30 Days
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
20
14 12
10

3 2
0 African American

White

percent

Students who Used Chewing Tobacco, Snuff, or Dip on One or More of the Past 30 Days
by GRADE
1993 2003
20

10 8 7

9 6

9 7

13 11

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Tobacco

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

17

Lifetime Alcohol Use
The percentage of students who had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more days during their life.
From 1993 to 2003, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of students who had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more days in their life among: - 9th grade students: from 71% to 63%.

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol During their Life
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

80 73
66
60

78

76

40

20

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol During their Life
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

80

76 72

78 74

74 71

60

40

20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol During their Life
by GRADE

1993 2003

80 71
63 60

78 72

80 74

80 78

40

20

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Alcohol

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

18

Alcohol Use Before Age 13
The percentage of students who had their first drink of alcohol, other than a few sips, before age 13.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of high school students who had their first drink of alcohol before age 13, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

percent

Students who had their First Drink of Alcohol Before Age 13
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
50

40

32

30

30

20

37 35

28 24

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who had their First Drink of Alcohol Before Age 13
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
50

40

30

32

30

20

33 27

10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who had their First Drink of Alcohol Before Age 13 by GRADE
1993 2003

50

42

40

37

30

20

35 31

28 23

23 19

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Alcohol

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

19

Current Alcohol Use
The percentage of students who had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant declines in the percentages of students who had at least one drink of alcohol on one or more of the past 30 days among: - African-American students: from 38% to 27%; and - 10th grade students: from 47% to 36%.

percent

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol on One or More of the Past 30 Days
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
60

50 44

40

38

30

47 40

41 36

20

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol on One or More of the Past 30 Days
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

60

50

40

38

49 45

30

27

20

10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who had at Least One Drink of Alcohol on One or More of the Past 30 Days
by GRADE
1993 2003

60

50

40

38

32 30

47 36

43 42

51 44

20

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Alcohol

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

20

Binge Drinking
The percentage of students who had five or more drinks of alcohol in a row, that is, within a couple of hours, on one or more of the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there was a significant decrease in the percentage of students who had five or more drinks in a row on one or more of the past 30 days among: - 10th grade students: from 28% to 18%.

percent

Students who had Five or More Drinks in a Row on One or More of the Past 30 Days TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40

30 25 20
20
10

29 23

21 16

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who had Five or More Drinks in a Row on One or More of the Past 30 Days by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
40

32

30

28

20 14

10

8

0 African American

White

percent

Students who had Five or More Drinks in a Row on One or More of the Past 30 Days by GRADE
1993 2003
40

30

20

18

14

10

28 18

26 24

30 27

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Alcohol

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

21

Lifetime Marijuana Use
The percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during their life.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who had used marijuana one or more times during their life among: - High school students overall: from 27% to 38%; - Male students: from 32% to 43%; - Female students: from 23% to 33%; - African-American students: from 21% to 37%; - 9th grade students: from 22% to 30%; - 11th grade students: from 29% to 43%; and - 12th grade students: from 34% to 49%.

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During Their Life by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
50

40

37

30
21 20

38 30

10

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During Their Life TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

50

40

38

30

27

20

43 32

33 23

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During Their Life by GRADE
1993 2003

50

40

30

30

22 20

36 26

43 29

49 34

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Marijuana

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

22

Marijuana Use Before Age 13
The percentage of students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13. From 1993 to 2003, there was a significant increase in the percentage of
students who tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 among: - Male students: from 8% to 14%.
Students who Tried Marijuana for the First Time Before Age 13
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 20

percent

Students who Tried Marijuana for the First Time Before Age 13
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
20

14

10

9

8

6

55

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Tried Marijuana for the First Time Before Age 13 by GRADE
1993 2003
20

Marijuana

percent

10

9

5

0 African American

9 6
White

percent

11 10
7

8 7

0

9th

10th

7 5
11th

9 6
12th

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

23

Current Marijuana Use
The percentage of students who used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who used marijuana one or more times during the past 30 days among: - High school students overall: from 14% to 20%; - Male students: from 17% to 24%; and - African-American students: from 10% to 17%.

percent

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During the Past 30 Days TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
30

20 20
14 10

24 17

15 11

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During the Past 30 Days by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
30

20

17

10 10

21 16

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Used Marijuana One or More Times During the Past 30 Days by GRADE
1993 2003
30

20 17
12 10

17 15

22 15

24 15

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Marijuana

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

24

Lifetime Cocaine Use
The percentage of students who used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase one or more times during their life.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who had used any form of cocaine one or more times during their life among: - High school students overall: from 3% to 7%; - Male students: from 4% to 8%; - White students: from 4% to 9%; - 9th grade students: from 2% to 4%; - 11th grade students: from 2% to 8%; and - 12th grade students: from 4% to 12%.

Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine During Their Life
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
20

10
3 1 0 African American

9 4
White

percent

percent

percent

Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine During Their Life
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
20

10 7
3
0 Total

8 4
Males

6 3
Females

Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine During Their Life by GRADE
1993 2003
20

10
4 2 0 9th

55 10th

8 2 11th

12 4 12th

Other Drugs

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

25

Current Cocaine Use
The percentage of students who used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase one or more times during the past 30 days. From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of
students who used any form of cocaine one or more times during the past 30 days, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.
Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine One or More Times During the Past 30 Days by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 10

percent

Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine One or More Times During the Past 30 Days TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
10

5 3
2
0 Total

4 2 Males

3 1
Females

Students who Used Any Form of Cocaine One or More Times During the Past 30 Days by GRADE
1993 2003
10

percent

percent

Other Drugs

5

1

1

0 African American

4 2
White

5
2 1 0 9th

3 2
10th

3 1 11th

5 2 12th

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

26

Lifetime Steroid Use
The percentage of students who took steroid pills or shots without a doctor's prescription one or more times during their life.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of students who took steroid pills or shots without a doctor's prescription one or more times during their life, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

percent

Students who Took Steroid Pills or Shots Without a Doctor's Prescription One or More Times
During Their Life TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
10

5 4
3
0 Total

5 4
Males

3 1 Females

Students who Took Steroid Pills or Shots Without a Doctor's Prescription One or More Times
During Their Life by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003 10

5
2 1 0 African American

6 3
White

percent

Students who Took Steroid Pills or Shots Without a Doctor's Prescription One or More Times
During Their Life by GRADE
1993 2003
10

5 3
2
0 9th

4 3
10th

4 2 11th

6 3 12th

percent

Other Drugs

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

27

Acquisition of Illegal Drugs on School Property

The percentage of students who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property by someone during the past 12 months.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who were offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property among: - High school students overall: from 21% to 33%; - Male students: from 26% to 38%; - Female students: from 17% to 28%; - African-American students: from 15% to 32%; - White students: from 24% to 33%; - 9th grade students: from 21% to 30%; - 11th grade students: from 20% to 33%; and - 12th grade students: from 16% to 33%.

Students who were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug on School Property During the Past 12 Months
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

40

32 30

33 24

20 15

10

0 African American

White

percent

percent

percent

Students who were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug on School Property During the Past 12 Months
TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

40 38

33

30

26

26

21 20
17

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who were Offered, Sold, or Given an Illegal Drug on School Property During the Past 12 Months
by GRADE
1993 2003

40

37

30 30
26
21 20

33 20

33 16

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

Other Drugs

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

28

Body Weight
The percentage of students who describe themselves as slightly or very overweight.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant decreases in the percentages of students who describe themselves as slightly or very overweight among: - High school students overall: from 32% to 28%; and - Female students: from 40% to 33%.

percent

Students who Describe Themselves as Slightly or Very Overweight TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003
40 40

32

33

30

28

23 22
20

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Describe Themselves as Slightly or Very Overweight by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

40
30 27 24

34 30

20

10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Describe Themselves as Slightly or Very Overweight by GRADE
1993 2003
40

33

30

29

31 26

29 27

33 28

20

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Body Weight

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

29

Vigorous Physical Activity
The percentage of students who exercised or participated in physical activities for at least 20 minutes that made them sweat and breathe hard on three or more of the past seven days.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of students who exercised or participated in physical activities for at least 20 minutes that made them sweat and breathe hard on three or more of the past seven days, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

percent

Students who Participated in Physical Activities for at Least 20 Minutes that Made them Sweat and Breathe Hard TOTAL and by SEX

1993 2003 80

60

60 59

74 68

50 46

40

20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Participated in Physical Activities for at Least 20 Minutes that Made them Sweat and Breathe Hard by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
80

60

57

52

64 61

40

20

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Participated in Physical Activities for at Least 20 Minutes that Made them Sweat and Breathe Hard By GRADE
1993 2003

80

67 68 60

61 61

54 51

56 48

40

20

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Physical Activity

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

30

Physical Activity to Strengthen or Tone Muscles

The percentage of students who did exercises to strengthen or tone their muscles, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or weight lifting on three or more of the past seven days.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who did exercises to strengthen or tone their muscles on three or more of the past seven days among: - Female students: from 30% to 41%; - White students: from 44% to 54%; and - 9th grade students: from 44% to 56%.

percent

Students who did Exercises to Strengthen or Tone their Muscles
TOTAL and by SEX

1993 2003

60

60

56

50

50

42

41

40

30

30

20

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who did Exercises to Strengthen or Tone their Muscles
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

60
50 44
41 40

54 44

30

20

10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who did Exercises to Strengthen or Tone their Muscles by GRADE
1993 2003

60 56
50 44
40

52 44

46 39

45 42

30

20

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Physical Activity

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

31

Physical Education Class Attendance
The percentage of students who attended physical education class one or more days during an average school week.
From 1993 to 2003, there was no significant change in the percentage of students who attended physical education class one or more days during an average school week, overall, by sex, by race/ethnicity, or by grade.

percent

Students who Attended PE Class One or More Days During an Average School Week TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

60

50

41

40

37

30

51 47

31 27

20

10

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Attended PE Class One or More Days During an Average School Week by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003
60

50

47

40

37

30

38 36

20

10

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Attended PE Class One or More Days During an Average School Week by GRADE
1993 2003

60

58 57

50

40

38

31

31

30

29

27

24

20

10

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

Physical Activity

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

32

Time Spent Exercising in Physical Education Class

Of students enrolled in physical education class, the percentage who exercised or played sports more than 20 minutes during an average physical education class.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students enrolled in physical education class who exercised or played sports for more than 20 minutes during an average physical education class among: - High school students overall: from 76% to 84%; - Female students: from 64% to 78%; - White students: from 77% to 90%; and - 9th grade students: from 74% to 84%.

percent

Students who Spent More than 20 Minutes Exercising in PE Class TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

100 84
80 76
60

87 84

78 64

40

20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who Spent More than 20 Minutes Exercising in PE Class by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

100 90

80

76

75

77

60

40

20

0 African American

White

percent

Students who Spent More than 20 Minutes Exercising in PE Class by GRADE
1993 2003

100

89

84

82

80

78

74

75

79

60

40

20

0

9th

10th

11th

* Due to small N, 2003 data not shown

12th *

percent

Physical Activity

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

33

AIDS Education
The percentage of students who had ever been taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school.
From 1993 to 2003, there were significant increases in the percentages of students who were taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school among: - High school students overall: from 87% to 94%; - Female students: from 86% to 95%; - White students: from 87% to 96%; - 9th grade students: from 89% to 94%; and - 11th grade students: from 83% to 96%.

percent

Students who were Taught about AIDS or HIV Infection in School TOTAL and by SEX
1993 2003

100

94

87

80

93 88

95 86

60

40

20

0 Total

Males

Females

Students who were Taught about AIDS or HIV Infection in School
by RACE/ETHNICITY
1993 2003

100

91

87

96 87

80

60

40

20

0 African American

White

percent

Students who were Taught about AIDS or HIV Infection in School by GRADE
1993 2003

100

94

89

80

95 89

96 83

90 85

60

40

20

0

9th

10th

11th

12th

percent

AIDS Education

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

34

Methods
The purpose of the 1993 Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS) and 2003 Georgia Student Health Surveys (GSHS) was to gather data on behaviors among youth related to the leading causes of mortality and morbidity.
Questionnaire Development Self-administered, anonymous questionnaires were used. Both the 1993 and 2003 questionnaires were modeled after the core Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The 1993 questionnaire consisted of 84 items and covered six topics from the YRBS: 1) behaviors that result in unintentional injuries and violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) sexual behaviors that result in HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, and unintended pregnancies; 5) dietary behaviors; and 6) physical activity. The 2003 questionnaire consisted of 94 items and covered five topics from the YRBS: 1) behaviors that result in unintentional injuries and violence; 2) tobacco use; 3) alcohol and other drug use; 4) dietary behaviors; and 5) physical activity. No questions about sexual behavior were included in the 2003 GSHS, but questions about asthma, food allergies, diabetes, and gambling were added to the 2003 questionnaire.
Sampling
Sample Design The 1993 and 2003 high school samples were selected with an objective of having 95% confidence limits of approximately 5% around key variables. The sampling frame consisted of all regular public schools containing students enrolled in grades 9-12. A two-stage cluster sample design was used to produce a representative sample of high school students in grades 9-12. The sampling program PC-Sample was used to draw the samples in 1993 and 2003.
Sampling Procedures School Level - The first-stage sampling frame consisted of all public schools containing any of grades 9-12. Schools were selected with probability proportional to school enrollment size (PPS). Thirty-seven high schools were sampled in 1993 and 50 high schools were sampled in 2003.
Class Level - The second sampling stage consisted of systematic equal probability sampling (with a random start) of classes from each high school that participated in the survey. All classes in a required subject or all classes meeting during a particular period of the day, depending on the school, were included in the sampling frame.
Student Level All students in a selected class were eligible to participate in the survey. Student make-ups were also conducted.

Methods

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

35

Methods (cont'd)
Data Collection Surveys were administered in the spring of 1993 and 2003.
Weighting A weight variable was calculated for each student record to reflect the likelihood of sampling each student and to reduce bias by compensating for differing patterns of nonresponse. The weight used for estimation is given by:
W = W1 * W2 * f1 * f2 *f3 W1 = the inverse of the probability of selecting the school W2 = the inverse of the probability of selecting the classroom within the school f1 = a school-level non-response adjustment factor calculated by school size category (small, medium, large). The factor was calculated in terms of school enrollment instead
of number of schools. f2 = a student-level non-response adjustment factor calculated by class f3 = a post stratification adjustment factor calculated by gender within grade and by race/ethnicity

Methods

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

36

Methods (cont'd)

Table 1 outlines the GSHS response rates for 1993 and 2003.

Table 1 1993 and 2003 GSHS Response Rates

1993 2003

School

Selected Participated Response Rate (%)

37

29

78%

50

48

96%

Student

Selected Participated Response Rate (%)

1,977

1,621

82%

2,209

2,066

94%

Overall Response Rate (%)
64% 90%

Statistical Significance
SUDAAN was used to compute 95% confidence intervals, which were used to determine the differences between subgroups at the p<0.05 level. Difference between prevalence estimates were considered statistically significant if the 95% confidence intervals did not overlap.

Methods

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

37

Appendix A: Survey Questions

1. When you rode a bicycle during the past 12 months, how often did you wear a helmet? 2. How often do you wear a seat belt when riding in a car driven by someone else? 3. During the past 30 days, how many times did you ride in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol? 4. During the past 30 days, how many times did you drive a car or other vehicle when you had been drinking alcohol? 5. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you carry a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club? 6. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you carry a gun? 7. During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight? 8. During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight in which you were injured and had to be treated by a doctor or nurse? 9. During the past 12 months, how many times were you in a physical fight on school property? 10. During the past 12 months, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide? 11. During the past 12 months, did you make a plan about how you would attempt suicide? 12. During the past 12 months, how many times did you actually attempt suicide? 13. If you attempted suicide during the past 12 months, did any attempt result in an injury, poisoning, or overdose that had to be treated by a doctor or nurse? 14. How old were you when you smoked a whole cigarette for the first time? 15. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you smoke cigarettes? 16. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you use chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip, such as Redman, Levi Garrett, Beechnut, Skoal, Skoal Bandits, or Copenhagen?
(Note 1993 survey question asked: During the past 30 days, did you use chewing tobacco such as Redman, Levi Garrett, or Beechnut, or snuff, such as Skoal, Skoal Bandits, or Copenhagen?) 17. During your life, on how many days have you had at least one drink of alcohol? 18. How old were you when you had your first drink of alcohol other than a few sips? 19. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one drink of alcohol? 20. During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have five or more drinks in a row, that is, within a couple of hours?

Appendix A: Survey Questions

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

38

Appendix A: Survey Questions (cont'd)
21. During your life, how many times have you used marijuana? 22. How old were you when you tried marijuana for the first time? 23. During the past 30 days, how many times did you use marijuana? 24. During your life, how many times have you used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase? 25. During the past 30 days, how many times did you used any form of cocaine, including powder, crack, or freebase? 26. During your life, how many times have you taken steroid pills or shots without a doctor's prescription? 27. During the past 12 months, has anyone offered, sold, or given you an illegal drug on school property? 28. How do you describe your weight? 29. On how many of the past seven days did you exercise or participate in physical activity for at least 20 minutes that made you sweat and breathe hard, such as basketball,
soccer, running, swimming laps, fast bicycling, fast dancing, or similar aerobic activities? 30. On how many of the past seven days did you do exercises to strengthen or tone your muscles, such as push-ups, sit-ups, or weight lifting? 31. In an average week when you are in school, on how many days do you go to physical education (PE) classes? 32. During an average physical education (PE) class, how many minutes do you spend actually exercising or playing sports? 33. Have you ever been taught about AIDS or HIV infection in school?

Appendix A: Survey Questions

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

39

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables
Table 1: Personal Safety

Variable
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

Never or Rarely Wore a Bicycle Helmet
% (95% CI)
97.0 (1.5) 97.3 (2.0) 96.7 (1.7) 97.6 (2.0) 97.4 (1.9) 95.8 (2.7) 97.4 (1.9) 98.6 (2.1) 97.2 (2.1)

Never or Rarely Wore a Seat Belt % (95% CI)
25.7 (4.7) 30.9 (6.9) 20.7 (3.2) 27.5 (4.9) 24.0 (6.4) 30.6 (5.8) 23.1 (6.3) 21.7 (10.4) 25.3 (5.1)

Rode in a Vehicle Driven by Someone who had been Drinking
Alcohol % (95% CI)

Drove a Vehicle when they had been Drinking Alcohol % (95% CI)

35.6 (3.5) 37.1 (5.7) 34.3 (4.1) 38.7 (6.4) 34.0 (3.7) 33.3 (5.0) 34.6 (6.1) 33.6 (5.3) 41.8 (8.2)

13.2 (3.2) 17.4 (4.5)
9.1 (3.0) 8.4 (3.1) 16.6 (3.4) 7.9 (3.3) 10.1 (4.6) 14.2 (3.3) 22.9 (7.0)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

85.9 (2.5)* 87.5 (3.2)* 83.6 (3.2)* 92.8 (3.3) 81.1 (3.6)* 81.0 (5.4)* 88.4 (3.1)* 90.9 (4.1)* 88.1 (6.4)*

9.4 (1.6)* 11.6 (2.6)*
7.1 (1.6)* 8.9 (1.9)* 9.0 (2.5)* 7.7 (2.7)* 10.1 (3.4)* 9.1 (3.9) 10.7 (4.3)*

24.0 (2.9)* 24.4 (3.4)* 23.5 (3.7)* 23.2 (3.2)* 23.6 (3.5)* 22.4 (4.2)* 24.7 (5.4) 23.4 (5.0) 25.5 (6.6)*

8.3 (2.4) 10.4 (2.4)*
6.3 (2.7) 4.4 (1.9) 10.7 (3.2) 4.3 (1.5) 7.8 (2.7) 9.4 (4.3) 13.5 (4.6)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

2003

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

40

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 2: Violence

Variable

Weapon Carrying % (95% CI)

Gun Carrying % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

27.7 (3.3) 43.0 (7.2) 12.9 (3.9) 25.1 (4.1) 28.6 (4.0) 30.0 (4.6) 29.7 (7.1) 24.0 (6.5) 24.8 (4.9)
18.7 (2.3)* 31.4 (4.2)*
6.2 (1.6)* 13.2 (3.7)* 22.0 (2.4)* 20.5 (3.7)* 18.7 (4.6) 17.0 (4.2) 17.4 (3.6)

10.7 (2.1) 18.0 (4.1)
3.7 (1.1) 12.3 (3.3)
8.8 (2.6) 11.6 (2.9)
9.3 (4.3) 10.7 (3.6) 10.9 (4.9)
6.8 (1.6)* 11.3 (2.5)*
2.2 (0.9) 6.5 (2.5) 6.7 (1.6) 7.3 (2.5) 6.6 (2.6) 5.0 (2.6) 7.4 (3.0)

Physical Fighting % (95% CI)

Injuries from Physical Fighting % (95% CI)

40.8 (3.4) 45.0 (3.7) 36.9 (4.1) 43.9 (6.3) 38.8 (4.5) 48.7 (8.6) 40.3 (4.5) 34.9 (7.5) 35.2 (7.6)
31.4 (2.4)* 40.3 (3.6) 22.4 (3.3)* 33.3 (4.3) 29.4 (3.2)* 33.6 (4.9)* 34.1 (3.7) 28.8 (5.1) 26.3 (5.5)

3.9 (1.1) 5.2 (1.8) 2.6 (1.1) 3.3 (1.6) 3.8 (1.5) 3.7 (2.2) 4.7 (2.6) 2.7 (1.8) 4.5 (2.3)
3.2 (0.7) 4.8 (1.3) 1.6 (0.8) 3.7 (1.3) 2.5 (1.0) 3.0 (1.3) 3.6 (1.9) 3.2 (1.5) 2.4 (1.7)

Physical Fighting on School Property % (95% CI)
16.0 (2.9) 19.7 (3.8) 12.4 (3.9) 19.1 (3.6) 13.5 (3.7) 21.6 (5.8) 17.5 (5.2) 10.8 (4.2) 10.5 (2.9)
11.1 (1.5)* 14.5 (2.9) 7.6 (1.9) 11.7 (2.7)* 9.6 (2.4) 13.7 (3.0) 11.6 (2.9) 9.9 (2.8) 6.6 (2.4)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

2003

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41

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 3: Suicide

Variable

Seriously Considered Suicide % (95% CI)

Made a Plan for Suicide % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

23.9 (3.1) 17.6 (4.4) 30.1 (3.8) 18.3 (3.1) 26.2 (4.3) 25.3 (2.4) 26.1 (5.9) 19.1 (6.0) 23.4 (4.2)
16.4 (1.7)* 13.1 (2.2) 19.8 (2.8)* 15.7 (3.1) 16.7 (2.7)* 16.8 (2.1)* 18.2 (3.5) 15.2 (4.7) 14.2 (3.9)*

19.3 (2.5) 13.8 (3.4) 24.6 (3.3) 15.9 (3.7) 20.2 (3.3) 19.6 (3.3) 24.3 (5.8) 14.1 (4.0) 17.0 (3.9)
13.0 (1.9)* 11.4 (2.1) 14.5 (2.6)* 13.9 (2.9) 12.2 (2.8)* 13.2 (3.0)* 12.7 (3.4)* 13.9 (3.8) 11.2 (3.9)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Attempted Suicide % (95% CI)

Injuries from Suicide Attempt % (95% CI)

11.4 (1.8) 7.4 (1.6)
15.3 (3.3) 10.8 (3.5) 11.3 (2.8) 14.3 (2.9) 11.9 (4.7)
9.1 (2.5) 8.0 (2.3)
8.5 (1.0)* 8.2 (1.7) 8.7 (1.9)*
10.0 (2.6) 7.4 (1.5) 9.8 (2.0) 8.9 (2.8) 6.5 (1.9) 7.4 (3.2)

3.2 (0.7) 1.3 (0.9) 5.0 (1.9) 2.2 (1.3) 3.2 (1.1) 3.8 (1.2) 3.7 (2.0) 1.8 (1.8) 2.5 (1.6)
3.0 (0.6) 3.0 (1.3) 3.0 (1.1) 4.1 (1.2) 2.4 (0.8) 2.7 (1.4) 3.1 (1.6) 2.5 (1.3) 3.6 (1.7)

2003

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42

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 4: Tobacco

Variable

Cigarettes Use Before Age 13 % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

26.7 (3.2) 28.9 (2.9) 24.6 (4.8) 20.5 (3.7) 30.6 (3.3) 28.8 (5.1) 27.4 (4.4) 27.0 (6.1) 22.2 (4.3)
18.9 (2.5)* 22.2 (3.0)* 15.6 (2.7)* 14.5 (3.0) 21.4 (3.7)* 18.4 (3.3)* 19.6 (3.4) 18.8 (5.8) 18.5 (4.9)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Current Cigarette Use % (95% CI)
24.3 (5.0) 24.7 (4.7) 24.0 (6.1)
9.6 (3.3) 33.0 (8.0) 22.2 (3.9) 23.5 (7.3) 29.2 (8.7) 22.0 (7.6)
20.9 (2.5) 23.2 (3.1) 18.7 (3.6)
8.9 (2.7) 28.5 (2.8) 17.9 (3.1) 18.6 (4.1) 25.2 (5.4) 23.4 (6.0)

Current Chewing Tobacco Use % (95% CI)
9.6 (2.6) 17.6 (4.3)
1.8 (1.5) 2.7 (2.3) 13.7 (2.5) 8.1 (3.0) 8.7 (4.2) 9.2 (3.7) 12.5 (2.9)
7.6 (1.5) 13.9 (2.9)
1.3 (0.7) 1.9 (1.2) 11.5 (2.6) 6.6 (1.5) 6.2 (2.8) 7.1 (3.8) 10.7 (3.3)

2003

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43

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 5: Alcohol

Variable

Lifetime Alcohol Use % (95% CI)

Alcohol Use Before Age 13 % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

75.5 (3.4) 77.7 (3.2) 73.5 (4.2) 73.4 (4.5) 77.5 (3.8) 71.3 (4.4) 77.7 (3.7) 74.4 (6.9) 79.9 (5.6)
72.2 (2.4) 73.5 (3.5) 70.9 (3.4) 66.0 (2.9) 76.3 (3.8) 63.1 (3.7)* 72.0 (5.8) 80.0 (3.5) 78.2 (4.5)

32.4 (3.8) 37.4 (4.2) 27.5 (4.3) 30.3 (5.3) 32.8 (4.4) 41.6 (5.7) 35.3 (5.0) 27.6 (9.9) 19.4 (4.3)
29.5 (3.3) 34.5 (4.0) 24.4 (3.7) 31.7 (4.6) 27.2 (4.6) 37.3 (5.9) 30.8 (4.7) 22.8 (4.4) 22.9 (4.8)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Current Alcohol Use % (95% CI)
44.1 (4.8) 47.1 (4.5) 41.3 (7.4) 38.0 (3.9) 48.8 (5.7) 37.8 (4.0) 47.4 (6.2) 42.8 (6.8) 50.5 (8.2)
37.7 (2.8) 39.5 (3.9) 36.0 (3.9) 26.9 (3.0)* 44.6 (3.1) 32.3 (3.2) 36.4 (4.1)* 41.8 (6.6) 43.6 (5.6)

Binge Drinking % (95% CI)
24.8 (4.6) 29.1 (7.0) 20.7 (5.3) 14.3 (5.1) 31.9 (4.0) 17.6 (3.9) 28.1 (5.2) 26.4 (7.6) 29.5 (7.5)
19.8 (2.7) 23.2 (3.6) 16.4 (3.2)
8.2 (2.3) 27.5 (3.0) 14.2 (2.1) 17.7 (4.2)* 23.7 (4.9) 26.7 (7.0)

2003

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44

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 6: Marijuana

Variable

Lifetime Marijuana Use % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

27.0 (3.5) 31.7 (3.9) 22.5 (4.9) 20.5 (3.5) 29.8 (4.7) 22.1 (3.5) 26.0 (6.4) 28.5 (8.2) 33.8 (7.5)
38.1 (2.4)* 43.1 (2.9)* 33.1 (3.7)* 37.3 (3.5)* 38.1 (3.9) 29.7 (3.8)* 35.7 (4.3) 42.7 (5.6)* 48.9 (5.8)*

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Marijuana Use Before Age 13 % (95% CI)
6.3 (1.7) 7.6 (2.7) 5.1 (1.6) 5.1 (2.7) 6.2 (2.0) 6.5 (4.0) 7.3 (3.9) 5.1 (3.0) 5.7 (2.3)
9.3 (1.4) 13.6 (2.2)*
4.9 (1.3) 9.4 (2.4) 9.0 (2.1) 11.4 (3.1) 8.3 (2.4) 7.1 (2.2) 8.9 (3.5)

Current Marijuana Use % (95% CI)
14.0 (3.6) 17.0 (3.6) 11.2 (4.2)
9.8 (3.1) 15.9 (5.6) 11.6 (3.5) 15.0 (5.5) 15.3 (8.9) 14.5 (5.5)
19.5 (1.9)* 23.7 (2.7)* 15.4 (2.8) 17.3 (2.4)* 21.0 (2.7) 17.1 (2.7) 17.1 (2.1) 21.9 (4.7) 23.6 (4.1)

2003

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables

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45

1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 7: Other Drugs

Variable

Lifetime Cocaine Use % (95% CI)

Current Cocaine Use % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders
Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

3.2 (1.4) 3.8 (2.0) 2.5 (1.6) 0.8 (0.7) 3.8 (1.7) 1.8 (1.2) 4.9 (2.7) 2.1 (2.0) 4.3 (1.7)
7.1 (1.4)* 7.8 (1.5)* 6.3 (2.4) 2.6 (1.2) 9.3 (2.8)* 4.4 (1.3)* 5.4 (1.9) 8.2 (3.2)* 12.1 (3.3)*

1.6 (0.9) 1.8 (1.4) 1.3 (1.2) 0.5 (0.5) 1.9 (1.2) 0.9 (0.8) 2.4 (2.0) 1.3 (1.4) 1.8 (1.5)
3.1 (1.2) 3.7 (1.4) 2.5 (1.7) 1.4 (0.9) 4.0 (2.0) 1.9 (1.1) 2.7 (1.4) 3.1 (2.8) 5.2 (2.9)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Lifetime Steroid Use % (95% CI)

Acquisition of Illegal Drugs on School Property % (95% CI)

2.6 (0.9) 3.8 (1.7) 1.4 (0.9) 1.2 (1.3) 3.4 (1.1) 2.1 (1.0) 3.3 (1.9) 1.8 (1.6) 3.3 (1.9)

21.2 (4.3) 25.9 (5.2) 16.6 (4.1) 14.9 (3.0) 23.6 (6.2) 20.8 (4.0) 25.9 (7.0) 20.2 (6.6) 16.3 (4.8)

4.4 (1.0) 5.4 (1.4) 3.4 (1.1) 2.1 (0.9) 5.6 (1.6) 3.1 (1.2) 4.3 (1.4) 4.2 (1.8) 6.3 (3.0)

33.3 (2.0)* 38.4 (3.2)* 28.3 (3.0)* 31.9 (3.5)* 32.9 (2.1)* 30.3 (3.2)* 36.7 (4.2) 33.4 (4.4)* 33.1 (5.5)*

2003

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1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 8: Body Weight and Physical Activity

Variable

Describe Themselves as Slightly or Very Overweight % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

31.7 (1.8) 22.9 (1.8) 40.3 (3.3) 27.2 (2.5) 34.4 (2.7) 32.7 (5.5) 31.4 (4.2) 28.9 (6.7) 33.1 (4.9)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

27.7 (1.9)* 22.4 (2.1) 33.1 (3.1)* 23.6 (3.2) 29.7 (2.5) 28.7 (3.4) 26.1 (3.8) 27.4 (4.6) 28.4 (5.6)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant.

Engaged in Vigorous Physical Activity % (95% CI)

Engaged in Physical Activity to Strengthen or Tone Muscles % (95% CI)

59.5 (5.6) 73.6 (5.9) 45.8 (5.5) 57.0 (7.5) 61.1 (5.9) 66.5 (4.2) 60.6 (5.3) 50.7 (13.8) 56.3 (8.0)

42.4 (4.9) 55.6 (5.3) 29.6 (5.8) 41.0 (5.5) 43.6 (5.6) 44.0 (5.3) 43.7 (4.2) 39.4 (10.2) 41.5 (8.8)

59.0 (3.1) 67.9 (3.0) 50.0 (4.1) 52.3 (3.3) 63.6 (3.4) 67.8 (4.1) 60.7 (4.2) 54.1 (4.8) 48.2 (5.3)

50.3 (3.3) 59.6 (3.6) 41.0 (3.8)* 44.1 (4.1) 54.0 (3.9)* 55.6 (5.2)* 51.7 (4.7) 46.0 (5.1) 45.2 (6.0)

2003

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1993

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables (cont'd)
Table 9: Physical Activity (contd.) and AIDS Education

Variable

Attend PE Class One or More Days per Week % (95% CI)

Exercise or Play Sports for at Least 20 Minutes in PE Class % (95% CI)

Taught About AIDS or HIV Infection in School % (95% CI)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

40.7 (5.9) 50.8 (7.1) 30.8 (5.8) 46.6 (8.3) 37.5 (6.9) 57.8 (9.5) 29.4 (8.6) 30.8 (13.8) 37.9 (10.9)

75.8 (3.9) 83.8 (3.7) 63.9 (5.9) 75.7 (5.9) 77.0 (5.4) 73.8 (5.2) 77.5 (4.2) 75.1 (14.8) 79.1 (5.9)

86.8 (1.9) 87.9 (2.9) 85.6 (2.8) 86.7 (2.8) 87.1 (3.4) 88.8 (2.4) 88.9 (4.2) 83.3 (8.5) 84.9 (3.8)

Total Males Females African Americans Whites 9th Graders 10th Graders 11th Graders 12th Graders

36.8 (4.8) 47.3 (5.6) 26.7 (4.7) 36.5 (6.2) 35.8 (6.3) 56.9 (6.5) 31.3 (7.1) 26.9 (5.9) 23.7 (9.3)

83.9 (3.3)* 87.3 (4.0) 78.1 (5.8)* 75.4 (6.1) 90.2 (3.1)* 83.6 (3.6)* 81.6 (7.7) 88.8 (6.3)


93.6 (1.3)* 92.6 (1.9) 94.5 (1.3)* 90.8 (2.6) 95.7 (1.1)* 93.7 (1.8)* 94.6 (1.9) 95.6 (2.4)* 89.7 (3.0)

* indicates change from 1993 to 2003 was statistically significant; indicates unweighted N less than 100

2003

Appendix B: Detailed Data Tables

Health Behaviors among Georgia Youth: A Decade of Change, 1993 and 2003

48