HEALTH RISK BEHAVIORS OF ADOLESCENT PARTICIPANTS IN ORGANIZED SPORTS

Purpose: To assess differences in health-related behaviors between ath letes and nonathletes. Methods: In Grades 9-12 in seven high schools d uring the 1991-1992 academic year, 7179 (82%) students were asked to c omplete a survey with six categories of health-related behaviors assoc iated with adolescent morbidity and mortality. Of the 6849 students wh o completed the survey, 4036 (56%) were classified as athletes. Analys es of differences were controlled for age, race, and gender. Results: Athletes and nonathletes differed in specific health-risk behaviors. N onathletes were more likely than athletes ever to have smoked cigarett es (15% vs. 10%) or used marijuana (24% vs, 23%), and fewer ate breakf ast daily (34% vs. 45%), never added sale to food (18% vs. 22%), consu med calcium (56% vs. 64%), or consumed fruit or vegetables (40% vs. 47 %) daily. More nonathletes reported frequent feelings of hopelessness (15% vs. 10%) and rarely or never using seatbelts (24% vs. 20%), but m ore athletes reported exceeding the speed limit by 10 mph (39% vs. 35% ) and riding bicycles (40% vs. 28%) and/or motorcycles (13% vs. 8%) wi thout helmets. These differences were statistically significant. Concl usions: Because of their behaviors, adolescent athletes put themselves at significant risk for accidental injuries. However, athletes appear less likely to smoke cigarettes or marijuana, more likely to engage i n healthy dietary behaviors, and less likely to feel bored or hopeless . (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 1998.