S2950 Dietary and Physical Activity Behavioral Change as Students Progress Through High School

Introduction: Adolescence is such a transformative period and habits formed during these years can impact long-term health. By determining how nutrition, extracurricular activity, and caffeine use change from 9th to 12th grade, targeted interventions may be developed to improve future health as well as reduce obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases. Factors like increased academic pressures, shifting social dynamics, and greater independence may influence these behaviors in unexpected ways. Methods: A cross-sectional voluntary survey was conducted of high school students in Texas. Survey responses (n = 206) were analyzed by grade level. Key measures included sports team participation, family meals, fast food consumption, breakfast habits, sleep, and caffeine use. Statistical analysis included ANOVA and chi-square tests to detect grade-associated trends. Significant pairwise differences were examined with post-hoc comparisons. Results: Ninth-graders reported the highest sports team involvement (mean 1.74 teams) which declined by 11th–12th grade (1.18 teams, P = 0.03). Self-reported sleep duration did not significantly differ by grade with an average of 7 hours per day. Regular family meal frequency was similar across grades, but older students were more likely to skip school-day meals. Skipping breakfast was more common in 10th grade versus 9th grade but not statistically significant (42% vs 33%, P = 0.32). Lunch skipping remained low (5% overall). Fast-food consumption was common, with roughly 25% of students in each grade reporting 3 or more fast-food meals per week. A sharp increase was seen in daily caffeine intake among seniors compared to 9th graders (36% vs 15.2%, P < 0.02). Seniors were also the most likely to consume caffeine multiple times a day (15%) versus 3.5% in 10th graders (P < 0.05). Conclusion: High school is a time of increasing independence, with changes in health behaviors. Younger students tend to gravitate to structured physical activities, whereas in later grades they become more self-directed. Without strong guidance, it’s easy for sleep, nutrition, and exercise to take a backseat. Health behavior interventions need to be age specific and targeted to the student’s independence level. Continued engagement in physical activity, perhaps by encouraging lifetime fitness habits or intramural sports to help students manage stress more effectively. Addressing nutrition and sleep habits early on might help buffer the effects of long study nights and overloaded schedules.