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findings from the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
The Rhode Island Youth Risk Behavior Survey looks at health risks among public high school and middle school students. The Center for Health Data and Analysis asks questions around personal safety, violence, sad feelings and suicide; tobacco, alcohol and other drug use; sexual behaviors; body weight, weight control and dietary behaviors; physical activity; and other health issues. While the data shows improving trends, worsening trends, and also indicates areas of unchanged rates. The summary results conclude that children who are healthy are better prepared to learn
in school.
If we take a look at gender differences, several areas seem to indicate possible increases in female risks. These areas include sad feelings, body weight/weight control/ dietary behaviors, feelings of sadness/suicide, and violence. The health care community has contributed some insight, suggestions, and local resources on these issues.
- She Shines
photos courtesy of Bennett-Lewis, Mehlenbeck, Nasin, Panichas, and Rios |
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Rhode Island’s Center for Health Data and Analysis:
- Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
www.health.ri.gov/chic/statistics/yrbs.php
Rhode Island’s Coordinated School Health Program: thrive
- nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, HIV/AIDS & sexuality, food safety and mental health
- components of a healthy school include health education, physical education, health services,
nutrition services, counseling psychological services, physical environment in school,
social environment in school, health promotion for staff, and family/community involvement
www.thriveri.org
NRI Community Services:
- provider of mental health and substance abuse treatment
- 24/7 emergency line, 401-235-7120
www.nricommunityservices.org or 401-235-7000
Kids Link RI:
- Rhode Island’s first children’s emergency services hotline
- confidential, free, 24 hours, 1-866-429-3979
www.gatewayhealth.org/KidsLinkRI.asp
Hasbro Children’s Hospital Nutrition Clinic:
- suggested diagnoses for nutrition counseling includes obesity/overweight, disordered
eating, failure to thrive, picky eaters, constipation, food allergies/intolerance, high risk
infants, tube fed infant/child/teen, and general nutrition.
www.lifespan.org/hch/services/nutrition or 401-444-7152
Memorial Hospital’s Youth Fit (Youth Fitness & Weight Management Program):
- offers methods to enhance childhood fitness and nutrition
- refer by primary care provider, school nurse, or parents (401-729-2582)
www.mhri.org
The Samaritans Rhode Island’s Suicide Prevention Resource Center:
- Crisis Hotline/Listening Line (1-800-365-4044 or 401-272-4044)
- Teen Pages, resources to help educate teenagers about suicide prevention
- Safe Place, a peer support group for the survivors of suicide
www.samaritansri.org
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence:
- advocacy, safety, planning, and support services for victims of domestic violence
- contact for warning signs of an abusive relationship
- contact for suggestions on supporting a friend who may be experiencing violence
www.ricadv.org or 1-800-494-8100
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 Bridget Bennett-Lewis, LICSW
Vice President of Child and Family Services, NRI Community Services
Bennett-Lewis suggests parents of teenagers: 1) talk to kids frequently; 2) look for changes in behavior outside of norm including changes in friends; 3) pay attention to isolation – youth living in cyber space; and 4) monitor social networking.
“Involvement [in community] is huge.” The teen years are challenging with changes in body image and establishing identity. Bennett-Lewis encourages youth to stay connected to community. Social activities and projects do much for one’s own self-worth.
 Robyn Mehlenbeck, PhD
Staff Psychologist, Rhode Island Hospital
Mehlenbeck suggests “healthy habits for everyone”:
1) don’t use the word diet – instead make healthy food choices; 2) you may have anything in moderation; and 3) encourage healthy exercise – for the teenage group the recommendation is one hour of exercise six days a week.
Red flag weight issues indicators: 1) persistent dieting; 2) never eating in front of you; 3) going to bathroom repeatedly after meals; 4) excessive exercising - note high risk sports include dance, gymnastics, and wrestling; 5) idealizing skinny; 6) mood changes; and 7) social withdrawal. To obtain help, a good starting point is your family’s pediatrician.
 Marjorie C. Nasin, MD
Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island
“Girls have historically given a more critical self-assessment than boys in a wide range of areas, from health and weight to emotional stability, to IQ and school performance! Of course girls do not trail behind our male counterparts – so do we compare ourselves to a higher ‘standard’ or just buy into social disparity myths that tell us that we’re less capable?” “High school girls have recently shown a decline in physical activity in excess of the decline for boys . . . I think that when we are less active and less fit, we are more apt to consider ourselves overweight. Likewise, the slightly overweight boy that plays baseball or football is much less likely to think he needs to lose weight because he considers himself an athlete.”
 Denise Panichas, Executive Director
The Samaritans of Rhode Island
“Depression is treatable and suicide is preventable but you have to ask for help. Find a trusted adult you can talk to about how you are feeling and what is bothering you most. If you have a friend who is depressed or suicidal, please ask for help. Find a trusted adult you can talk to about your concerns. Encourage your friend to seek the help of a trusted adult. Offer to go with her. Let her know she is not alone and that you care.” “Can I tell someone? The idea that suicide may be preventable with the right help should guide your decision to break the confidence . . . a good friend would always tell a trusted adult when another friend shares the fact that he or she is contemplating suicide.”
 Lucy Rios, Director of Prevention
RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Percentage of students who had ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to: 12.2% girls and 7.9% boys. Percentage of students who were ever hit, slapped, or physically hurt on purpose by their boyfriend or girlfriend during the past 12 months: 13.4% girls and 14.4% boys.
Source: YRBS RI High School Summary Table
“Statistics like these are so important to discuss because they highlight the need for us to address teen dating violence as a serious issue in our community . . . We need to educate our youth not only about the warning signs of dating violence, but also about healthy relationships and gender norms.”
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health for her 
