Health Behaviors in School-age Children: 2009-2010

The Health Behaviors in School-age Children (HBSC) study is a consortium of investigators from 40 predominantly European and North American countries who conduct a common survey of early adolescent health behaviors every 4 years. The survey gathers information about nutrition, dieting practices, physical activity, injuries, violence, relationships with family and friends, perceptions of school as a supportive environment, alcohol and tobacco use and drug use among adolescents, and about the communities in which students live. The U.S. sponsors of the survey are the National Institutes of Health and the Health Resources and Services Administration. This is the fourth survey done in the United States.

The objectives of the international HBSC study are:

• To assess the prevalence of early adolescent health behaviors
• To identify psychosocial factors associated with adolescent behaviors
• To provide an opportunity for analyses of cross-national comparisons
• To provide an opportunity for analyses of trends in the U.S. and cross-nationally

In addition to the above, the survey includes additional questions designed to provide information about areas of specific national interest, including the following:

• To assess the association of school, family, peers, and other environmental factors on health behavior and health status
• To assess the prevalence and identify factors associated with obesity, diet and physical activity
• To assess the prevalence and identify factors associated with bullying and risk behaviors.

This is the fourth U.S. administration of the HBSC survey, previously administered in 1997-1998, 2001-2002, and 2005-2006.

About 16,000 students in grades 5 thorough 10 at randomly selected public and private schools across the United States complete a 30- 40-minute survey. The questionnaires are anonymous; students are instructed not to put their name on the survey. When they finish the survey, they place it in an envelope and seal it. The envelopes are then put in a box. Reports do not include the names of participating counties, cities, school districts, schools, or students.

The information collected from U.S. school children is compared with similar information collected from school children in 40 other countries. The survey is used to help set national priorities for school and youth programs, as well as to monitor the progress of these programs.