2017 Boston Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey

YRBS 2017 BOSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY WHAT YOUTHS TOLD US

RESULTS AND FACT SHEETS

Wellness is a key strategy for the district. The Strategic Implementation Plan prioritizes the development of the whole child and the Essentials for Instructional Equity state that educators will create safe, healthy and sustaining learning environments.

The District Wellness Policy, updated in SY17-18, continues to be nationally recognized as one of the most comprehensive in the country. This policy links existing and new district health-related policies and is aligned with the national Whole School Whole Community Whole Child Model. It strives to ensure equity of programs and services for all students, addressing the needs of our most marginalized students.

Our Wellness Policy creates the roadmap for ensuring that all BPS schools are safe, healthy and sustaining.

In order to address these health risk behaviors, all students must receive high quality health education and physical education, where they will learn and practice foundational health and physical literacy competencies they need to be college, career, and life ready. In addition, all staff – teachers, nurses, psychologists, counselors, principals, and cafeteria and custodial staff – have a role to play to support the health and wellness of students. We must work closely with families and community partners, so that we can all reinforce, model and support the development of health literacy and health behaviors.

On behalf of the entire BPS District, I would like to thank you for your efforts to promote health and wellness in our schools.

Sincerely,

Jill Carter Acting Assistant Superintendent, Office of Social Emotional Learning & Wellness

YOUTH RISK BEHAVIOR SURVEY (YRBS) OVERVIEW The Middle School YRBS is conducted by interested states, territories, tribal governments, and large urban school districts across the United States and is one component of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Systems (YRBSS). Developed in 1990 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the YRBSS was designed to focus the nation on behaviors among youth related to leading causes of mortality and morbidity among both youth and adults. The YRBS helps to assess how these risk behaviors change over time. The CDC divides behaviors into six categories: • • • • • •

Behaviors that result in unintentional injuries and violence; Tobacco use; Alcohol and other drug use; Sexual behaviors that result in sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies; Dietary behaviors; and Physical activity.

About these Fact Sheets The purpose of these fact sheets is to disseminate findings from the second risk behavior survey for Boston middle school students. This information may inform future wellness-related programs, practices, and policies that aim to improve the health and wellness of Boston youths. The intent of these fact sheets is not to attempt to provide solutions, but rather to highlight significant results to spark future conversations and collaborations. Results are presented by health risk-behavior area. In each section, we have shown data when there is a significant difference between demographic student groups by Grade, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, and Sexual Orientation.

Boston Middle School YRBS The survey was first administered district-wide in BPS in 2013. Students completed a self-administered, anonymous, 52-item questionnaire. Survey procedures were designed to protect the privacy of students by allowing for anonymous and voluntary participation. Local parental permission procedures were followed before survey administration. The survey was completed by 1,421 students in 34 randomly selected public middle schools in Boston during the fall of 2017. The school response rate was 100%, the student response rate was 89%, and the overall response rate was 89%. The results are representative of all students in grades 6-8.

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

WHO ARE OUR STUDENTS? RACE / ETHNICITY

MALE / FEMALE

45%

Latinx Black*

31%

White*

12%

Asian* AI, AN, NH, or OPI1 Multiple Races*

9%

1

2%

American Indian (AI), Alaska Native (AN), Native Hawaiian (NH), or Other Pacific Islander (OPI)

2%

1-3 years

5%

4-6 years

5%

>6 years (not entire life)

51%

Female

Male

1%

TIME LIVED IN US

<1 year

49%

AGE

11 years or younger

21%

12 years

34%

13 years

34%

14 years or older

12%

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

13% 75%

Entire life

Heterosexual (81%) Bisexual (6%)

HOUSING

Gay or Lesbian (1%)

2% or housing instability

Students experiencing homelessness

ASTHMA

26% doctor they have asthma

Students report being told by a

27% Latinx 31% Asian

Not sure (12%)

+ Statistically less likely than comparison groups (p<0.05) * Non-Latinx

26% Black 18% White+

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

DIETARY BEHAVIORS NUTRITION RACE / ETHNICITY

95%

41% Latinx 42% Black 54% Asian+ 58% White++

45%

+ Statistically more likely than Latinx students (p<0.05) ++ Statistically more likely than Black and Latinx students (p<0.05)

Report having enough food in their home

More than 2 out of 5 students are trying to lose weight.

47% of female students* and 38% of male students

Eat breakfast daily

BPS offers free breakfast for all students through the School Breakfast Program, Breakfast in the Classroom, and Breakfast After the Bell

* Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

BEVERAGES

50%

Did not drink a can, bottle, or glass of soda in the past week

62%

RACE / ETHNICITY

Asian (70%) and White (68%) students are more likely than Black (47%) and Latinx (42%) to not drink soda every week (p<0.05).

Drink 3+ bottles or glasses of plain water daily

Black (13%) and Latinx (10%) students are more likely than Asian (4%) and White (3%) students to not drink any water (p<0.05).

DISORDERED EATING

3%

3%

Took some diet pills, powders, or liquids without a doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advice to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

Vomited or took laxatives to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

9% LGB^ 2% Heterosexual ^ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Physical activity for 60+ minutes

Active for 60+ minutes on 0 days: MALE / FEMALE

0 days (18%) 1-4 days (43%)

15%

22%

5-6 days (16%) All 7 days (23%)

39% of students are active for 60+ minutes for 5 or more days

54%

38% Walk or ride their bike to/ from school every day

Played on at least one sports team

Male

Female+

RACE / ETHNICITY

19% Latinx째 22% Black째 16% Asian째 7% White + Statistically more likely than comparison group(s) (p<0.05) 째 Statistically more likely than White students (p<0.05)

29% Watch 3+ hours of TV daily*

50% Play video games or use a computer 3+ hours per school day^

* Statistically significant decrease from 2013-17 (p<0.05) ^ Statistically significant increase from 2013-17 (p<0.05)

Played on at least one sports team MALE / FEMALE

60%

47%

RACE / ETHNICITY

56% Latinx* 54% Black* 40% Asian 61% White* * Statistically more likely than Asian students (p<0.05)

Male+

Female

+ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Schools with grades PreK-8 must offer at least 150 minutes of in-school physical activity weekly. This requirement includes at least 45 minutes of weekly PE (80 minutes recommended) and at least 20 minutes of recess daily. Physical education provides students with the confidence, competence, and desire to be physically active throughout their life.

82%

Attend weekly physical education classes

13%

Attend daily physical education

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

SEXUAL HEALTH SEXUAL HEALTH BEHAVIORS

7%

9%

Have ever had oral sex^

1%

Have had sex with 3+ person in their lifetime*

Comprehensive Health Education, which includes sexual health education, is a BPS requirement. At a minimum, schools must provide Safe & Healthy Body Unit in elementary school and at least two semesters of health education in grades 6 to 8 taught by a licensed health education teacher.

^ Statistically significant increase from 2013-17 (p<0.05) * Statistically significant decrease from 2013-17 (p<0.05)

Have ever had sexual intercourse

Some students become sexually active at a young age. It is important for students to get medically-accurate, developmentally-appropriate information and to learn essential skills to stay safe, make informed decisions, including postponing sexual activity, and have healthy relationships throughout their lives.

SEXUAL HEALTH EDUCATION Have been taught in school about HIV/AIDS infection

Have been taught in school about how to use condoms MALE / FEMALE

29%

23%

Male+

Female

+ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

6th 7th 8th

GRADE

MALE / FEMALE

GRADE

12% 25% 40%

33%

25%

Male+

Female

6th 7th 8th

12% 27% 47%

By 8th grade, all BPS students should have received sexual health education and been taught in school about HIV/AIDS infection and how to use a condom.

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

SUBSTANCE USE TOBACCO Students who do use tobacco

91% Do not use any tobacco products

2% Smoke cigarettes

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

1%

21% LGB^ 7% Heterosexual

7%

Use smokeless tobacco

Use e-vapor products

1% Smoke cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars* ^ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

17% LGB^ 6% Heterosexual

* Statistically significant decrease from 2013-17 (p<0.05)

ALCOHOL Students who do drink alcohol

92% Do not currently drink alcohol

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

27% LGB^ 7% Heterosexual ^ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

The departments in the Office of Social Emotional Learning and Wellness provide multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) to provide comprehensive health education for all students, targeted group interventions for some, and individualized support for substance abuse and social, emotional, and mental health issues.

MARIJUANA & OTHER DRUGS Students who have ever used marijuana

87%

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

34% LGB^ 11% Heterosexual ^ Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

Have never used marijuana

8% Currently use marijuana SEXUAL ORIENTATION

21% LGB^ 7% Heterosexual

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

7% Took a prescription pain medication without a doctorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prescription

INJURY & VIOLENCE VIOLENCE MALE / FEMALE

52%

64%

39%

Male*

Female

17% Have ever carried a weapon (gun, knife, or club)

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Have been in a physical fight

67% LGB* 53% Heterosexual

MALE / FEMALE

22%

12%

Male*

Female

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

36% LGB* 16% Heterosexual

* Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

DATING VIOLENCE

4%

5%

Have been physically forced to have sexual intercourse MALE / FEMALE

2%

6%

Male

Female*

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

20% LGB* 2% Heterosexual * Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

Have experienced physical dating violence Dating violence among students who dated in the past 12 months: SEXUAL ORIENTATION

Comprehensive health education at BPS includes building skills to promote boundary setting, healthy relationships, and prevention of harassment and violence.

18% LGB* 9% Heterosexual

PHYSICAL DATING VIOLENCE: When someone you are dating or going out with physically hurts you on purpose, such as being hit, slammed into something, or injured with an object or weapon.

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

INJURY & VIOLENCE TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

71%

Most of the time or always wear a seatbelt when riding in a car

Of the 76% of students who reported riding a bicycle...

68%

Rarely or never wear a helmet when riding a bicycle

SPORTS INJURY

20% Had a concussion from playing a sport or being physically active

A concussion is a brain injury that temporarily alters brain functions.

A concussion can occur without losing consciousness and can be the result of a blow to the head or to the body that jars the head. While not all blows to the head lead to a concussion, vehicular crash, fall from a bike, or sports injuries can put the youth at risk of it.

Symptoms can fall into four categories: cognitive, physical, emotional, and sleep problems. Youth should not return to play until they have been cleared by a medical professional.

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, & MENTAL HEALTH BULLYING

MALE / FEMALE

40%

56% LGB* 38% Heterosexual

Were bullied on school property

35%

45%

Male

Female*

MALE / FEMALE

18%

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

36% LGB* 16% Heterosexual

Were bullied electronically

15%

21%

Male

Female*

* Statistically more likely than comparison group (p<0.05)

PROTECTIVE FACTORS

63%

Would seek help from an adult at school if they had an important question affecting their life

53%

Get 8+ hours of sleep each night

CDC states that adolescents who do not get enough sleep (8-10 hrs/day) have a higher risk of poor mental health and problems with attention and behavior, as well as obesity, diabetes, and injuries.

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, & MENTAL HEALTH DEPRESSION & SUICIDALITY

24%

26%

Feel stressed most of the time or always

Felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2+ weeks in a row MALE / FEMALE

21% Male

22%

MALE / FEMALE

MALE / FEMALE

15% 16

32%

15%

29 28%

Male

Female*

Male

Female*

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

56% LGB* 22% Heterosexual

56% LGB* 18% Heterosexual

31% Female*

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

64% LGB* 21% Heterosexual RACE / ETHNICITY

30% Latinx++ 20% Asian

27% Black+ 16% White

Have seriously thought about killing themselves

RACE / ETHNICITY

11% Have attempted suicide^ MALE / FEMALE

8%

15 14%%

Male

Female*

SEXUAL ORIENTATION

33% LGB* 8% Heterosexual RACE / ETHNICITY

13% Latinx++ 12% Black+++ 5% Asian 7% White

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

23% Latinx+ 24% Black+ 21% Asian 14% White + Statistically more likely than White students (p<0.05) ++ Statistically more likely than White or Asian students (p<0.05) +++ Statistically more likely than Asian students (p<0.05) ^ Statistically significant increase from 2013-17 (p<0.05) * Statistically more likely than comparison group(s) (p<0.05)

4-YEAR POSITIVE & NEGATIVE TRENDS Based on trend analyses using a logistic regression model controlling for sex, race/ethnicity, and grade, p<0.5.

2013

2017

Decrease in % of students who watched 3 or more hours of TV per day (on an average school day)

42%

29%

Increase in % of students who played video or computer games or used a computer 3 or more hours per day (for something that is not school work)

41%

50%

Decrease in % of students who currently frequently smoked cigarettes

0.7%

0.2%

Decrease in % of students who currently smoked cigars, cigarillos, or little cigars

3%

1%

Decrease in % of students who had sexual intercourse with three or more persons (during their life)

4%

1%

Increase in % of students who had oral sex

7%

9%

Increase in % of students who ever tried to kill themselves

8%

11%

Photo credit: Mark Pijanowski, BPS

2017 Boston Middle School Risk Behavior Survey | www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd

City of Boston Martin J. Walsh, Mayor Boston School Committee: Michael Loconto, Chair Dr. Hardin Coleman, Vice-Chair Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Neill Alexandra Oliver-Davila Jeri Robinson Regina Robinson Dr. Miren Uriarte Keondre McClay, Student Representative Elizabeth Sullivan, Executive Secretary Boston Public Schools Laura Perille, Interim Superintendent

Our Mission As the birthplace of public education in this nation, the Boston Public Schools is committed to transforming the lives of all children through exemplary teaching in a world-class system of innovative, welcoming schools. We partner with the community, families, and students to develop within every learner the knowledge, skill, and character to excel in college, career, and life.

The Boston Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, does not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, age, criminal record (inquiries only), disability, homelessness, sex/gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetics or military status, and does not tolerate any form of retaliation, or bias-based intimidation, threat or harassment that demeans individualsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

For more information about the YRBS: Office of Social Emotional Learning & Wellness

370 Columbia Rd | Dorchester, MA 02125 www.bostonpublicschools.org/hwd main phone: 617.635.6643