R. Lowry et al., THE EFFECT OF SOCIOECONOMIC-STATUS ON CHRONIC DISEASE RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG US ADOLESCENTS, JAMA, the journal of the American Medical Association, 276(10), 1996, pp. 792-797
Objective.-To examine the relationship between socioeconomic status an
d risk behaviors for chronic disease among a nationally representative
sample of adolescents in the United States. Design.-Household survey,
the Youth Risk Behavior Survey supplement to the 1992 National Health
Interview Survey. Setting.-United States. Participants.-Nationally re
presentative sample of 6321 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. Main Outc
ome Measures.-Standardized prevalence rates and logistic and multiple
regression models were used to examine the effect of educational level
of the responsible adult and family income on 5 risk behaviors for ch
ronic disease among adolescents-cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle
, insufficient consumption of fruits and vegetables, excessive consump
tion of foods high in fat, and episodic heavy drinking of alcohol. Res
ults.-Most adolescents (63%) reported 2 or more of the 5 risk behavior
s. Controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and school enrollment sta
tus of adolescents, as the educational level of the responsible adult
increased, cigarette smoking, sedentary lifestyle, and insufficient co
nsumption of fruits and vegetables were less likely among adolescents.
Among girls, but not boys, consumption of foods high in fat decreased
as education of the responsible adult increased. As family income inc
reased, adolescents were less likely to smoke cigarettes, less likely
to be sedentary, and less likely to engage in episodic heavy drinking.
Conclusion.-Among adolescents, risk behaviors for chronic disease are
common and inversely related to socioeconomic status. Improved commun
ity- and school-based programs to prevent such behaviors among adolesc
ents are needed, especially among socially and economically disadvanta
ged youth.