Anyplace School Youth Health Survey Results

Youth Survey Highlights Youth Health Survey completed in all 11 RHA’s Grades 6-12 School, Division and Regional reports available

Main Topics Physical Activity Healthy Eating Tobacco Use Alcohol & Substance Use Well-being

Physical Activity Promotes normal growth and bone development Fosters psychological well-being, self- esteem and social development Helps maintain healthy weight Reduces the risk of several chronic diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease & cancer)

Physical Activity

School Sports

Parental Support of Physical Activity

Modified Physical Education Programs Increased length; moderate & vigorous activities Alternative activities Additional activity breaks to complement PE Self-management programs Family involvement How To Take Action

Promoting School Sports Offer balance - intramurals and inter- school Include lots of students in competitive programs Student lead intramurals (for credit) Intramurals most likely place to increase participation Offer non traditional activities - partner How To Take Action

Benefits of Healthy Eating: Better performance at school, work & play Better behaviour More able to cope emotionally Less anxiety, depression & hyperactivity More ready to learn Lower incidence of disease Healthy weights

Healthy Eating

Healthy Body Weight

Perception of Body Weight

School -based interventions Clear messages about behaviour changes Incorporating family involvement Extended programming (greater than 16 weeks) Beginning interventions prior to 6th grade Minimizing emphasis on benefits for future health Approaches to include one or more of: Classroom (lessons, activities) School meal modification Point of purchase education Media marketing How To Take Action

Smoking 22% of all deaths in Canada are attributed to smoking 85% of people smoking now started before the age of 19 Smoking is associated with dropping out of school, alcohol use, lower academic achievement and drug use

Smoking

Getting Cigarettes How do you usually get your cigarettes? % responding I buy them 31% Someone buys them for me 26% I get them from my friends 29% I get them from home 7% Other 14%

Buying Cigarettes If you buy your own cigarettes, where do you buy them? % responding Convenience store 36% Gas station 43% Grocery store/supermarket 17% Bar 7% Restaurant/diner/cafeteria 2% Friend or other person 29% *Note: column may exceed 100% as students were asked to select ALL that apply.

Trying to Quit

Include peers in development & implementation of programs Focus on multiple risk factors, not just tobacco Focus on higher grade levels - making sure community activities reach youth Programs that help students develop skills for resisting social influences Retailer education and increased compliance with laws School/Division policy How To Take Action

Alcohol Use

Illegal Drug Use

Prevention should enhance protective factors and minimize risk factors Prevention should include family, schools, and community Characteristics of successful programs: Parents and wider community involved Instruction based on expressed student needs Peer leaders hold promise for health instruction Classroom teachers play a central role Social skills are superior to factual information alone in achieving improvements How To Take Action

School Environment When asked “How strongly do you agree or disagree with the following statements?”  I feel close to people at this school- 76% agreed/strongly agreed  I feel I am part of this school- 77% agreed/strongly agreed  I am happy to be at this school- 75% agreed/strongly agreed  I feel safe in my school- 79% agreed/strongly agreed

`Feelings of Hopelessness`

How To Take Action Involve students in school/community leadership opportunities, Healthy School initiatives, and peer helper programs Partner with local groups to develop community-wide activities

Key Messages Physical Activity  Just over half of students are active enough for optimal growth and development  Wide variety of physical activities at school  Seeking input on activities

Key Messages Healthy Eating  Over half of students eat 2 or fewer fruits and vegetables per day  Less than 5% eat the recommended number of fruits and vegetables  Important to reach young people early at critical age as lifestyles are developed

Key Messages Tobacco Use  Smoking rates rise steadily through the high school years  Students take up smoking for a variety of reasons  Peers and family members are especially influential in the decision to start or continue smoking.  School/community-based interventions are effective in preventing tobacco use in youth

Key Messages Alcohol & Substance Abuse  Alcohol and illegal drug use rises steadily through the high school years  Alcohol abuse is associated with motor vehicle and aquatic injuries and deaths, vandalism, alcohol poisoning and violence  Prevention should include family, schools and community

Key Messages Well-being  Students who feel an attachment to their school and community are less likely to engage in unhealthy or risky behaviors

Key Messages The health of children is a shared responsibility There is a role to play for families health authorities human service providers non-government organizations the community, in partnership with the students and staff

What Now ? Review community report(s) Choose priority areas action plans? Seek opportunities for the community to partner with school(s) See ideas in the report Many other resources available CDPI/Health Promotion Team Culture, Heritage & Tourism: Healthy Schools/In Motion Knowledge Exchange Network Healthy Living Resource Centre Health In Common

What Now? Evaluate what we are currently doing Healthy Schools Initiatives Curricular Programming Guidance Initiatives Nutrition Policy Implementation Phys. Ed. Health Implementation Review where we want to go Seek opportunities to partner with community agencies Continue to access provincial or regional expertise and programming on an ongoing basis Continue to support school-based initiatives, and seek opportunities to initiate broader-based initiatives where commonalities exist

Questions?