This Snapshot presents the results from the 2013 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) for Health Statistics Region 4. Health Statistics Region 4 includes the following counties: El Paso. The region’s rates are compared to the statewide rates for students in grades 9-12. All percentages in the Snapshot are estimates that represent behaviors that were reported by students in the region and across the state. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers recommendations and resources for a variety of topics presented in this report. Students who are overweight or obese. 25 %Students

BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measurement of body fat that is calculated from height and weight. Definitions of overweight and obese depend on gender and age of the student. The percentage of overweight and obese youth has been increasing nationwide and causes immediate and long-term effects on health and wellbeing.

19.3

20 15

15.2

10 5 0 Region 4

State

Students with daily physical activity.

Students reported…

Region 4

3 or more hours of non-school related screen time on an average school day

45.8

53.7

(39.8-51.8)

(52.2-55.2)

67.3

61.4

(64.0-70.7)

(60.1-62.8)

Playing on at least 1 sports team in the past 12 months

40 %Students

Physical activity includes time spent in any kind of activity that increases heart rate and causes heavy breathing some of the time. Studies have shown that physical activity is positively associated with improved test scores and grades (1). Screen time includes time spent watching TV, playing video games, or time on the computer for non-school related use. The CDC recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily and no more than 2 hours of screen time per day.

30

26.4

20 10 0 Region 4

State

Fruit and vegetable consumption add micronutrients and fiber to the diet while contributing relatively minimal calories. Students with low nutrient intake are more likely to be absent, experience behavioral issues and receive lower grades (2). Research has shown that breakfast consumption reduces absenteeism and improves academic performance (2). Regular soda consumption is not recommended since it adds calories without any nutritional value. The CDC recommends all schoolsto have nutrition education as a part of a comprehensive health education curriculum.

29.4

State

Daily physical activity is recommended for youth and is defined as all 7 days of the week.

In the past 7 days, students who… Ate 1 or more vegetables daily Ate 1 or more fruits daily Ate breakfast everyday Drank soda 1 or more times per day (does not include diet soda)

Health Statistics Region 4

Region 4

State

48.8

45.2

(46.6-51.1)

(43.7-46.7)

48.3

45.1

(44.0-52.6)

(43.6-46.7)

48.0

41.9

(41.7-54.4)

(40.4-43.4)

13.0

18.0

(9.8-16.2)

(16.9-19.1)

Bullying is described as one or more students teasing, threatening, spreading rumors about, hitting, shoving, or hurting another student over and over again. Research has shown that students who perceive school to be physically or emotionally unsafe are more likely to miss school (3).

In the past 12 months…

Bullied on school property in past 12 months.

Students who have been in a fight

Students who have been threatened or injured at school with a weapon Students who have been bullied electronically

%Students

State

5.9

5.1

(5.0-6.8)

(4.8-5.5)

16.0

15.1

(12.5-19.5)

(14.3-15.9)

22.9

20.4

(22.3-23.4)

(19.5-21.3)

Electronic bullying includes being bullied through e-mail, chat rooms, instant messaging, websites, or texting.

30 20

Region 4

20.7

20.0

In the past 30 days…

Region 4

Students who did not go to school at least 1 day because they felt they would be unsafe at school or on their way to school

10 0 Region 4

Students who have carried a weapon, such as a gun, knife, or club

State

Students who have carried a weapon on school property

State

4.1

5.2

(3.3-4.9)

(4.8-5.7)

17.4

16.8

(15.0-19.7)

(15.9-17.6)

4.1

4.5

(3.5-4.6)

(4.1-4.9)

Weapons are described as guns, knives and clubs. Smoked cigarettes in past 30 days. Research has shown that smoking and smokeless tobacco use are initiated and established primarily during adolescence with nearly 9 out of 10 people who smoke starting before age 18 (4). Schools are recommended to review their tobacco policies and update policies to include electronic device use (i.e. e-cigarettes). Region 4

State

Smoked a whole cigarette for the first time before age 13

5.4

7.3

(3.8-7.0)

(6.7-7.9)

Used chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip at least once in the past 30 days

7.0

6.4

(5.8-8.1)

(5.9-6.9)

Ever smoked a cigarette

%Students

Students who…

15

19.3

21.8

(14.9-23.7)

(20.6-23.0)

10

10.7

10.2

5 0 Region 4

State

One of the leading causes of unintentional injury is driving after drinking alcohol or riding with a driver who was drinking. One study found that students who used drugs or alcohol were nearly 3 times more likely to drop out of school (5). In the past 30 days, students who... Drove a car after student had been drinking alcohol Rode in a car driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol Binge drank 5 or more drinks in a row Drank alcohol for the first time before the age of 13 Ever drank alcohol

Region 4

State

7.4

7.7

(4.1-10.6)

(6.9-8.4)

14.1

17.9

(10.2-17.9)

(17.0-18.8)

13.0

16.6

(8.7-17.3)

(15.6-17.6)

14.5

17.2

(12.7-16.3)

(16.3-18.1)

54.8

60.1

(48.6-60.9)

(58.9-61.4)

Health Statistics Region 4

%Students

Drank alcohol in past 30 days. 40 24.6

31.0

20 0 Region 4

State

Current alcohol use is defined as having at least 1 drink of alcohol in the past 30 days. Drinking alcohol is considered drinking more than a sip of beer, wine (for non-religious purposes), wine coolers, and liquor such as rum, vodka or whiskey.

Used marijuana in past 30 days. 25

Students who… Tried marijuana for the first time before age 13 Ever used marijuana

Region 4 5.3

State 8.1

(3.1-7.6)

(7.3-8.9)

29.1

36.9

(22.3-35.8)

(35.4-38.3)

%Students

Marijuana is described on the survey as also being called grass or pot. These data were collected prior to retail marijuana sales in Colorado which started January 1, 2014. School districts are required to update current policies on staff and student marijuana use and ensure use of retail marijuana is prohibited on all school property per state law.

19.7

20 15

14.8

10 5 0 Region 4

State

Offered drugs at school in past 12 months.

Students who have ever used… Cocaine Ecstasy Heroin Methamphetamines Sniffed glue to get high Prescription drugs (without Dr. prescription) Steroids (without Dr. prescription)

Region 4 5.3

State 5.8

(3.4-7.3)

(5.2-6.4)

5.5

6.7

(3.5-7.5)

(6.3-7.2)

2.8

2.7

(1.4-4.3)

(2.4-3.1)

3.5

3.2

(2.2-4.7)

(2.8-3.6)

7.6

7.3

(5.8-9.5)

(6.8-7.8)

14.6

13.6

(11.9-17.4)

(12.9-14.2)

3.0

2.8

(2.0-4.1)

(2.4-3.2)

Suicide is a leading cause of death in U.S. teens. Feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 or more weeks in a row is a measure that is sometimes used as an indicator of potential depression. Research has shown that students with emotional health challenges (anxiety, depression, and conduct disorders) were more likely to drop out of high school (5).

20 %Students

Along with tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana, students were asked about ever use of the illicit drugs listed below. School drug-free policies can include an umbrella of illegal drugs, but should also specify legal substances like prescription drugs (used without a prescription).

15 10 5 0

Region 4

Region 4 14.5

State 14.5

(10.4-18.5)

(13.8-15.3)

5.3

6.6

(3.8-6.8)

(6.0-7.1)

21.3

24.3

(17.3-25.3)

(23.5-25.2)

State

Students were asked if they were offered, sold, or given any illegal drug on school campus in the past 12 months.

Methods of pregnancy prevention include birth control pills, condoms, IUD, birth control shot or ring, or withdrawal. Not all of these methods prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI) or HIV. The CDC recommends schools to have sexual education as part of a comprehensive health education curriculum Students who…

In the past 12 months… Students who seriously considered suicide Students who actually attempted suicide Felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2+ weeeks in a row

15.7

13.9

Ever had sexual intercourse Had sexual intercourse in the past 3 months Were sexually active in the past 3 months and did not use a method of pregnancy prevention Reported having ever been taught about AIDS or HIV in school

Health Statistics Region 4

Region 4

State

26.2

33.1

(20.2-32.3)

(31.8-34.4)

18.9

23.3

(14.7-23.1)

(22.3-24.3)

9.4

10.3

(6.5-12.2)

(9.3-11.4)

79.2

78.0

(61.5-97.0)

(75.2-80.7)

The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) periodically collects selfreported health information from Colorado public school students. A unified version was launched in 2013 that consolidates multiple needs for youth health data and allows for both state and regionallevel estimates. The unified HKCS was administered in Fall 2013 to approximately 40,000 randomly-selected students from approximately 220 middle and high schools. HKCS is supported by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Education (CDE), and Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). The University of Colorado Denver is the official vendor for HKCS.

Nutrition: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/npao/strategies.htm Physical Activity: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/toolkit /factsheet_pa_guidelines_schools.pdf Alcohol & Other Drugs: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/alcoholdrug/ SexualEducation: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/about/pdf/hivstd_prev ention.pdf

Classrooms were randomly sampled from schools, and students in those classes were asked to complete the survey. Data were weighted to represent all students in the grades surveyed. Under- or overrepresentation of some demographic groups may affect interpretation of total results presented in this Snapshot.

Tobacco: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/ youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm#reducing Safety/Violence: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/bullyingsuicide-translation-final-a.pdf Mental Health/Suicide Prevention: http://store.samhsa.gov/shin/content//SMA124669/SMA12-4669.pdf

(1) Lees C, Hopkins J. Effects of aerobic exercise on cognition, academic achievement, and psychosocial functioning in children: a systematic review of randomized control trials. Preventing Chronic Disease, 2013;10:E174. (2) Kleinman RE, Hall S, Green H, et al. Diet, breakfast, and academic performance in children. Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism, 2002;46: 24-30. (3) Srabstein J,Piazza T. Public health, safety and educational risks associated with bullying behaviors in American adolescents. International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health, 2008;20(2):223-233. (4) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults: a report of the surgeon general. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2012. (5) Breslau J, Lane M, Sampson N, Kessler RC. Mental disorders and subsequent educational attainment in a US national sample. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2008;42(9):708-716.

Health Statistics Region 4