PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND OVERWEIGHT
Results from the 2001 national Youth Risk Behavior
Survey show that over two-thirds of high school students
regularly participate in vigorous physical activity
and one quarter participate in moderate physical activity.
Furthermore, 53 percent participate in regular strengthening
exercises, while 55 percent play on one or more sports
teams. Nationwide, 52 percent of high school students
were enrolled in a physical education class, though
students in the 9th grade were significantly more
likely to be enrolled than students in higher grades.
The percentage of students enrolled in daily physical
education. has declined over the past decade, from
42 percent in 1991 to 32 percent in 2001.
While 29 percent of high school students thought
they were overweight, 46 percent were trying to lose
weight. Female students were more than twice as likely
as male students to be attempting weight loss (62
percent versus 29 percent). Female students were also
significantly more likely than male students to perceive
themselves as overweight, although males were more
likely to be overweight. In an effort to lose weight
or keep from gaining weight, 44 percent of students
had eaten less food, fewer calories, or foods low
in fat and nearly 60 percent had exercised. However,
a substantial minority had also attempted weight control
using potentially unhealthy behaviors—14 percent
had fasted for 24 hours or more, 9 percent had taken
diet aids without a doctor's advice, and 5 percent
had vomited or taken laxatives.
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