Research, Updates and Links

Missouri Youth Health Statistics

Risk Behavior

Missouri High School Students from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey

This survey is a component of the overall Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Information can be filtered and viewed by health topic, race/ethnicity, grade level, and sex. This system “monitors six types of health-risk behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death and disability among youth and adults.”

These six categories include:

behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence
sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection
alcohol and other drug use
tobacco use
unhealthy dietary behaviors
inadequate physical activity

Obesity

Missouri Youth Obesity Epidemic

The following link provides an overview of the obesity epidemic for Missouri youth. Specifically, it analyzes results from the 2013 Missouri Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and 2012 Missouri School Health Profiles. The CDC addresses the obesity problem in relation to three categories: obesity, unhealthy dietary behaviors, and physical inactivity. Possible solutions are identified as: better health education, more PE and physical activity programs, and healthier school environments. This document also provides a summary of the current status of high school students regarding: health education, PE and physical activity, and school environment.

Missouri Youth HIV, STD and Pregnancy Prevention

This document analyzes the prevalence for HIV, other STD's and teen pregnancy prevention for Missouri students. Data provided is from the 2013 Missouri Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) and 2012 Missouri School Health Profiles. The problems identified are categorized by sexual risk behaviors and alcohol and other drug use. Based on the data provided, the CDC has named the following as possible solutions to address the problem: better health education, more comprehensive health services, more supportive policies, and more family involvement. The current status for each of the solutions mentioned is also provided.

Missouri Youth Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Profile

Here you will find the state of Missouri’s nutrition, physical activity, and obesity profile. It is produced by CDC’s Division of Nutrition and Physical, and Obesity (DNPAO) to provide a summary of obesity data and how it correlates with the nation’s health and economy, specifically with its link to chronic diseases. This document provides data from Missouri residents divided up by the following:

state population
adult overweight and obesity, physical activity/inactivity and dietary behaviors
adolescent overweight and obesity, physical activity/inactivity and dietary behaviors
child overweight and obesity, breastfeeding and BMI

This document also provides a couple of examples for how the state of Missouri is addressing the obesity issue including: increased access to health foods through Farm to Institution initiatives, improving transportation infrastructure, and legislation in place.

Smoking

Missouri Youth Tobacco Use

This document summarizes tobacco use among Missouri students. The data provided is divided up into three categories: cigarette use, other tobacco use, and any tobacco use, all of which are identified as the “problem.” The provided solutions include: better health education, more family and community involvement, and healthier school environments. Information was taken from the 2012 Missouri School Health Profiles to provide a brief summary of the current status of Missouri for addressing the health education, family and community involvement, and school environment for Missouri high school students.