Teens Trading in Sex and Drugs for Food New CDC Survey Shows

high school students trade in sex and drugs for cheetos and video games

A new study suggests that high school students in the U.S. are trading in drugs and sex for Cheetos and video games. 

The national study, known as the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), was conducted across 21 urban school districts between 2007 and 2017 covering 39 states and surveyed more than 15,000 students. 

The study found that teens engaging in sexual behavior fell to 39.5 percent from 47.8 percent. However, those who admitted having sex, were also less likely to use a condom. The CDC says that rate fell from 53.8 percent from 61.5 percent. That's a number that has some health experts concerned since half of all new sexually transmitted diseases are found in 15-to-24-year-olds

Drug use was also out of fashion for teenagers. Students admitting to using drugs like cocaine, heroin, methamphetamines, inhalants, hallucinogens or ecstasy went down to an incredible 14 percent from 22.6 percent. Around 14 percent of the students surveyed who admitted to taking drugs also said they misused prescription opioids. 

One-third of teenagers who were surveyed said they were obese, or overweight, an increase over previous years. The study's authors warn however, that that data was calculated using self-reported heights and weights, meaning the obesity rates may be even higher.

The study also found that nearly 1 in 5 students have been bullied at school, with more than 1 in 10 female students and 1 in 28 male students reporting that they had been physically forced to have sex. Mental health was another concern, as the amount of students who said they felt persistently sad, or hopeless increased from 29 percent in 2007 to 32 percent in 2017. At least 1 in five students said they had seriously considered suicide, and about 1 in 13 had attempted suicide over the last year. 

The YRBS study, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is designed to monitor the health behaviors and experiences high school students have throughout the United States. Results from the study will be used by the CDC to address public health issues and direct funding, as well as develop school-based health education and promotion programs to set goals for an adolescent's health. 

Photo: Getty Images


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