LOUISIANA 2008 & 2009OBESITY AND DIETING

Youth Risk Behavior Surveys

DECEMBER 2010 L O U I S I A N A D E P A R T M E N T O F E D U C A T I O N

Youth Risk Behavior SurveysOBESITY AND DIETING 2008 & 2009

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

20

10

40

30 27.3

21.6

29.3

32.930.3

22.6 22.9

27.430.9

29.1

LATotal

U.S.Total2007

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

20

10

40

30 27.1

18.9

27.4

34.5

30.3

23.6 25.4 26.0 26.530.6

LATotal

U.S.Total2009

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

LOUISIANA STATISTICS

ABOUT OBESITY

2008: Perceived Self as Slightly or Very Overweight*

2009: Perceived Self as Slightly or Very Overweight

FIGURE 1

The 2008 and 2009 surveys asked

students how they perceived their weight.

Additionally each student’s actual Body

Mass Index (BMI) was calculated based on

information (weight and height) provided

by the students.

» In 2009, although 27.1% of all students

perceived themselves as overweight

(Figure 1), 18.0% were actually

overweight (Figure 2). Almost the

same percent perceived themselves as

overweight in 2008 compared to 2009,

and the actual percent overweight was

also similar between the two years.

National trends are similar to those

of Louisiana, with the perception of

overweight much greater than the actual

overweight percentages.

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in the United States.

Compared to twenty years ago, children aged 6 – 11 are now twice as likely

to be obese and adolescents aged 12-19 are now three times as likely to be

obese. Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to develop

chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, and some

cancers. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight

or obese adults.

*Percentage of students who described themselves as slightly or very overweight.

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

20

10

40

30

18.014.815.8

21.0

14.4

22.5

19.6 19.818.3

13.2

LATotal

U.S.Total2009

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

20

10

40

30

17.720.9

15.8 14.7 14.8

21.619.7

15.3 15.3

20.7

LATotal

U.S.Total2007

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

OV ER W EIGH T

2009: Overweight

2008: Overweight*

*Percentage of students with a BMI ≥85th percentile and ≤95th percentile for age and sex, based on reference data.

FIGURE 2

In 2008 and 2009, the percentage of overweight individuals among Louisiana students was slightly higher than the U.S. student

average: about 18% compared to 16% (Figure 2), and there was little or no change in those years.

» In both 2008 and 2009, black students were more likely to

be overweight than white students (Fig. 2).

» Gender and grade level percentages varied from 2008-2009.

OBE SE

» Obesity was also higher among black students (19.1%)

than white students (11.8%) in 2008, but the opposite was

true in 2009 (12.8% versus 16.2%) (Figure 3).

» In both years, obesity was higher among males than

females (Figure 3).

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

14.712.812.0 11.3

18.116.2

13.1 13.1

18.1

14.8

LATotal

U.S.Total2009

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

15.6

19.1

13.011.9

19.4

11.8

14.7

17.7

14.615.1

LATotal

U.S.Total2007

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

2009: Obese

2008: Obese*

*Among the 17.6% of students with a BMI ≥95th percentile by age and sex, based on reference data.

FIGURE 3

Similar to overweight percentages , obesity in 2008 and 2009 was higher among Louisiana students than the U.S. student

average: 15.6% vs. 13% in 2008 and 14.7% vs 12% in 2009 (Figure 3).

T RIED T O L OSE W EIGH T

The percent of students who tried to lose weight was similar between Louisiana and nationally, in both 2008 and 2009 (Figure 4).

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

44.8 47.143.1 46.1

60.3

28.3

48.9

39.9

50.7

39.4

LATotal

U.S.Total2009

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

44.1 45.242.9 44.4

56.3

31.4

48.1

37.3

50.2

40.1

LATotal

U.S.Total2007

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

2009: Tried to Lose Weight

2008: Tried to Lose Weight*

*Percentage of students who tried to lose weight during the 30 days before the survey.

FIGURE 4

» Female students were more likely to perceive themselves

as overweight (Figure 1) and also were more likely to try

to lose weight in both 2008 and 2009 (Figure 4).

» More white than black students perceived themselves as

overweight (Figure 1) and also were more likely to try to

lose weight in both survey years (Figure 4).

AT E L E SS OR E X ERCISED T O L OSE W EIGH T

» This survey’s summary shows that eight control strategies

varied by gender. More female students attempted to

control weight through exercise or by eating less than

male students in both survey years (Figure 5), and the gap

was wider in 2009 than 2008.

» More white than black students ate less or exercised to lose

weight in both years (Figure 5).

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

62.456.9

69.874.4

49.2

66.6 62.3 64.0 62.4 60.5

LATotal

U.S.Total2009

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

Total Gender Race Grade Level

Perc

enta

ge o

f S

tude

nts

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

66.460.5

66.672.4

60.2

69.5 67.7 66.7 65.8 65.8

LATotal

U.S.Total2007

Female Male White Black 9 10 11 12

2009: Ate Less or Exercised to Lose Weight

2008: Ate Less or Exercised to Lose Weight*

*Percentage of students who exercised or who ate less food, ate fewer calories or ate foods low in fat to lose weight or keep from gaining weight in the 30 days before the survey.

FIGURE 5

In 2009, 62.4% of Louisiana students reported that they ate less or exercised in order to lose or maintain weight, compared to

69.8% nationally (Figure 5). This is a decrease from 2008 for Louisiana, but an increase nationally.

SUMMARY OF WEIGHT LOSS STRATEGIES

Although many young people understand the

importance of physical activity and proper nutrition

as it is related to weight management, some young

people use unhealthy weight loss strategies that can

have long-lasting repercussions to their health.

» In 2009, 13% of students went without eating

for 24 hours or more (fasted) to lose weight or to

keep from gaining weight during a 30 day period,

a decrease from 15% in 2008.

» 8.0% of students took diet pills, powders or liquids

without a doctor’s advice during a 30 day period

to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight in

2009, also a decrease from 8.8% a year earlier.

» In 2009, 6.7% of students vomited or took

laxatives during a 30 day period to lose weight

or to keep from gaining weight, which is a very

slight increase from 2008 (%).

» In both survey years, male students were more

likely to take diet pills, powders or liquids, vomit

or take laxatives than female students. Female

students were more likely to fast to lose weight.

For more information on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey,

go to http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm.

Louisiana Department of Education1201 North Third Street | Baton Rouge, LA 70802-5243

T: 877.453.2721 | F: 225.342.0781 | www.louisianaschools.net

Louisiana Public Health Institute1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1200 | New Orleans, LA 70112

T: 504.301.9800 | F: 504.301.9801 | www.lphi.org

The mission of the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) is to ensure equal access to education and to promote equal excellence throughout the state. The LDOE is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunities and is committed to ensuring that all of its programs and facilities are accessible to all members of the public. The LDOE does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, or genetic information. Inquiries concerning the LDOE’s compliance with Title IX and other civil rights laws may be directed to the Deputy Undersecretary, LDOE, Exec. Office of the Supt., P.O. Box 94064, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9064; 877.453.2721 or customerservice@la.gov. Information about the federal civil rights laws that apply to the LDOE and other educational institutions is available on the website for the Office of Civil Rights, USDOE, at http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/.

This public document was published at a cost of $720.00. Three hundred (300) copies of this public document were published at this first printing at a cost of $720.00. The total cost of all printings of this document, including all reprints, was $720. This document was printed by the Office of Federal Programs Support, Division of Student and School Learning Support; Louisiana Department of Education; P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by State agencies established pursuant to R.S. 43.31.

S T A T E B O A R D O F E L E M E N T A R Y A N D S E C O N D A R Y E D U C A T I O N

Mr. Keith GuicePresident

5th BESE District

Mr. Walter LeeVice President

4th BESE District

Ms. Louella GivensSecretary-Treasurer 2nd BESE District

Mr. James D. Garvey, Jr.1st BESE District

Ms. Glenny Lee Buquet3rd BESE District

Mr. Charles E. Roemer

6th BESE District

Mr. Dale Bayard7th BESE District

Ms. Linda Johnson8th BESE District

Mr. John L. BennettMember-at-Large

Ms. Connie BradfordMember-at-Large

Ms. Penny DastugueMember-at-Large

Ms. Jeanette VosburgExecutive Director

F O R F U R T H E R I N F O R M A T I O N , C O N T A C T :

Raegan Carter JonesEducation Program ConsultantLouisiana YRBS Coordinator

Phone: 225.219.0363Email: raegan.jones@la.gov