How Are Our Children Doing? Youth Risk Behavior Data Sheds Light on Progress and Areas of Concern

Every two years, CY—Connecting Youth helps administer two surveys designed to measure the prevalence of certain behaviors among Chittenden South youth.  The “Swisher Survey” is given to students in grades 6 and 7 and asks questions related to drug use, violence, and school climate.  The “Youth Risk Behavior Survey” is given to 8th – 12th graders across Vermont and is broader in scope.  Both surveys, which are voluntary and anonymous, are widely recognized as reliable.  The following are highlights from the surveys, focusing on positive gains to celebrate and areas of concern. 

The Good News:

*More than half all 9th graders have never tried alcohol, 92% have never smoked a cigarette, and 83% have never tried marijuana!

*Annual use of substances among 6th graders continues to decline.  Annual use of alcohol was as high as 15% in 1995 and is now 4 percent in 2007, while annual use of cigarettes and marijuana is now 0 percent! 

*There continues to be huge decreases in cigarette use across grade levels!   Past 30 day of use of cigarettes is now between 2 percent at the 7th grade and 22% at the 12th grade level.  The biggest gains were among 10th graders, where use went from 19% in 1999 down to 6% in 2007, and among 11th graders, where use went from 31% in 1999 down to 9% in 2007. 

*Overall fewer youth reported being in a physical fight or being bullied.  The most significant decreases were at the 10th and 11th grade levels; however, overall data for 8th through 12th graders went from 24 to 21% who reported being in a physical fight in the past 12 months and from 15 to 12% who reported being bullied during the past 30 days.

*More students are feeling empowered and connected to the community—65% of 8th – 12th graders said they help decide what goes on at their school, 90% said they have an adult in their life whom they can turn to for help, and 59% said they feel like they matter to the community.

*Data for drug use and violence among youth in our District is generally much lower than the Vermont state average. 

Cause for Concern:

*There was a dramatic increase among substance use at the 12th grade level!  Past 30 day use of alcohol went from 44% in 2005 up to 61% in 2007; past 30 day use of marijuana went from 48% in 2005 to 59% in 2007; and cigarette use remained the same at 22%.  Binge drinking was also very common among seniors, with 43% reporting to do it in the past 30 days.

*Use of alcohol among youth is a growing problem.  Among 8th – 12th graders, the number who reported ever consuming alcohol stayed the same at 54%; however, the percent for past 30 day use and binge drinking increased among 8th, 9th, and 12th graders.   Note: nearly one quarter of students said they got alcohol “at home”!

*Not surprisingly, body image is a huge issue for girls! There were 23% of females who described themselves as overweight, yet 50% who reported trying to lose weight.  For males, 19% said they were overweight and 23% were trying to lose weight.

*Depression, self-harm, and suicide are also big concerns.  Of all 8th – 12th graders, 15% reported feeling signs of clinical depression in the last year, 11% reported purposely hurting themselves in the past year (15% of girls and 7% of boys), and 6% had made a plan about how to attempt suicide.

Take the Smoke Free Zone Pledge

Did you know that exhaled smoke and smoke from the burning end of a cigarette contains more than 50 cancer-causing chemicals that increase the risk for heart disease and lung cancer?  When non-smokers breathe in secondhand smoke, it is like they are smoking themselves.  For children, this can cause life-long health problems such as asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and more frequent ear infections and allergies.  In addition, babies who are around smokers are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS.  The health risks are clear and there is "no risk-free level of exposure to secondhand smoke."  (U.S. Surgeon General.)

CY is working with the Vermont Department of Health to reach adults with a simple message-that keeping smoke away from children is the best way to protect their growing lungs and bodies.  "Often the most effective health messages can come from those who love you the most," said Health Commissioner Sharon Moffatt, RN, MSN.  "That's why we've developed child-friendly materials that can be shared with family and friends while helping everyone create smoke-free zones."  The Health Department's "Smoke Free Zone" campaign includes two radio ads featuring children asking their parents to protect them from health risks associated with secondhand smoke. The campaign also includes a guide for creating smoke-free zones (including tips for non-smokers), stickers to signify smoke-free zones, coloring sheets for kids, and water bottles.

 Here are some tips for smokers who want to create smoke-free zones:

• Rules rule. Tell everyone who visits your home or rides in your car, including babysitters and other caregivers, about your no-smoking rule.
• Picture me. Put a wallet-sized picture of your child or loved one on your cigarette pack to remind you of why it's so important.
• The zone. Place smoke-free zone reminders (like stickers) around the house, garage and car.
• Teams work. Join together with another parent who smokes, pledging to keep smoke far away and to watch each other's kids during smoke breaks.

 Non-smokers can also create smoke-free zones:

• Tell everyone. Let family, friends and co-workers know that you do mind if they smoke around you and your children. It isn't always easy, but it's important.
• Traveling zone. Make sure everywhere your child spends time, including child-care centers, churches, and after-school programs, are smoke-free.
• Practice no. On your own, practice asking people not to smoke around you and your loved ones so when the time comes, you'll be ready.
• Stick to it. Put a smoke-free zone sticker on your car or front door. Most people will get the message.

 More and more Vermonters are banning smoking in the home and the car. Based on the 2006 Adult Tobacco Survey, 63 percent of all Vermont smokers with children banned smoking in their homes and 70 percent banned smoking in their cars.  Vermonters who are interested in learning more about smoke-free zones can log on to www.healthvermont.gov/prevent/tobacco.  Coming soon, you can also take the smoke free zone pledge on-line.   Everyone who participates in the campaign will get a free water bottle.

If you are a smoker and are interested in quitting, call the Vermont Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (784-8669) or visit VermontQuitnet.com.