Easton MA Public Schools Adolescent Wellness Survey Results

Wellness Survey - Methods Adapted from the 2013 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survery (YRBS) developed by the Centers for Disease Control ( Survey was anonymously administered on Dec. 22, Sample – Responses from 1,121 students at Oliver Ames High School, and 469 students at Easton Middle School. Results were compared to State and National findings.

Survey Categories Substance Use Access to Substances Protective Factors Suicidal Behaviors Personal Safety and Violence Sexual Health Exercise and Nutrition Media

Substance Use Low levels of cigarette use Vaping: a cause for concern? Usage similar to State and National

Substance Use – Illicit Drugs Comparably low levels of Illicit drug usage

Access to Substances Easton Middle School – limited access via family members (<0.4%). OAHS – 12% of students reported being offered, sold, or given an illegal drug on school property with the last 12 months. Nationally, 23% of students report obtaining illicit drugs at school OAHS – 20% of students reported that adults in their life use marijuana

Protective Factors School Performance – 89% of EMS, and 91.5% of OAHS students reported receiving grades of B or higher the majority of the time. Awareness – 52% of OAHS students reported that Family had largest impact on their awareness of the dangers of substance abuse. Abstinence - 50% of OAHS students also reported that Family was their primary motivation for abstaining from risky behaviors.

Suicidal Behaviors EMSOAHS * Color coded by question 11% of EMS students responded “YES” when asked if they’d considered suicide

Personal Safety & Violence

Sexual Health – Easton Middle School Sexual Activity – 2% of EMS students, vs. 38% nationally, reported having had sexual intercourse; 3% reported engaging in oral sex. Unwanted Sexual Contact - 2% of EMS students reported having sexual contact against their will.

Sexual Health – OAHS Sexting– 11% of OAHS students reported either sending a picture or initiating inappropriate sexual comments. 17.5% reported receiving an inappropriate message or photo. Sexual Education – 83.5% of students reported learning about HIV/AIDS at school, 45% about condom use, and 64% about birth control. However, only 37% answered “YES” to whether there was someone they could talk to about sexual health at school, and just 23% reported being comfortable enough to do so

Sexual Health – OAHS Sexual Activity – 28% of OA students, vs. 38% national, reported having sexual intercourse in their lifetime. 71.5% reported no sexual activity. Number of Partners: 14% of sexual activity students reported 1 lifetime partner. 5% reported 2 partners; 3% reported 3, and 3% reported 4 partners. 4% of sexual activity students reported more than 5 partners.

Sexual Health – OAHS Birth Control – Condoms were the most frequently used form of birth control among sexual active students, followed by birth control pills. ~ 2% of sexual active students reported no method to prevent pregnancy, and a similar percentage reported relying on withdrawal. ~ 2% of students also reported having been or gotten someone pregnant

Exercise and Nutrition - EMS Weight - 74% of students at EMS reported being at the right weight or slightly underweight, while 24% reported being slightly overweight. - 24% of Massachusetts middle school students statewide report being slightly overweight. Physical Activity – 54% of students, vs. 52% statewide, reported 60 minutes or more of physical activity per day for five or more days a week. 81% of students also reported involvement with sports. Sleep –58.5% of EMS students reported getting at least 8 hrs. of sleep on an average school day.

Exercise and Nutrition - OAHS Weight - 75% of students at OA reported being at the right weight or slightly underweight, while 20% reported being slightly overweight. - 29% of Massachusetts high school students statewide report being slightly overweight. Physical Activity –79% of students also reported involvement with sports vs. 60% and 54% at the State and National levels, respectively. Sleep – Only 26% of OA students reported getting at least 8 hrs. of sleep on an average school day.

Media Video games – 39% of EMS students and 44% of OA students report spending more than 3 hours a day playing video or computer games. - Statewide, 39% of Massachusetts high school students report > 3hrs. of daily game use. Television – 81.5% of EMS students reported watching less than 2 hrs. of TV on an average school day; No data for OA students. Social media - ~1/2 of OA students reported concerns about how social media might negatively affect them in the future.

Health & Wellness Survey Conclusions