Drug use, sexual activity, and suicidal behavior in U.S. high school students.

Data from the 1990 Youth Risk Behavior Survey were used to examine the interrelationship of drug use, sexual activity, and suicidal behavior in U.S. high school students. Findings indicated adolescents who engaged in substance use and/or sexual activity were more likely to experience suicide ideation and behavior than those who abstained from such activities. Data analysis revealed a significant and positive relationship between cocaine use and severity of outcomes of suicide attempts. Marijuana use and alcohol use were related to suicide behavior, but these relationships were not as strong as those noted for cocaine use. The study also revealed a positive relationship between frequency of sexual activity and attempted suicide, but could not determine whether such sexual activity was coerced, forced, or voluntary in nature.

Adolescents' perceptions of relative weight and self-reported weight loss activities.

Data from the 1990 North Carolina Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) were used to examine adolescents' perceptions of relative weight and the relationship of these perceptions to physical activity levels, efforts to lose weight, and time spent viewing television. A total of 3,437 ninth and 12th grade respondents to the May 1990 survey were included in the analysis. Of this sample, 25% perceived themselves as "too fat." Of that group, 68% were trying to lose weight. Females made up 75% of those reporting they were "too fat" and were trying to lose weight. White females were more likely to think of themselves as overweight and were more likely to be trying to lose weight than black females. Adolescents who perceived themselves as "too fat" reported fewer days of strenuous activity, fewer hours of strenuous exercise in physical education classes, and more hours spent viewing television on school days.