CDC: 2013-2023 youth risk physical activity behavior report | Image Credit: © Jayda_ArtistryHub - © Jayda_ArtistryHub - stock.adobe.com.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Data Summary & Trends Report for Dietary, Physical Activity, and Sleep Behaviors: 2013–2023 provided insights into the physical activity behaviors of US high school students. The report, developed by the CDC, highlights trends over the past decade, revealing concerning patterns in physical activity engagement among adolescents.

The data indicate that overall, US high school students are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. The report outlines five key physical activity behaviors: daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activities, adherence to both aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines, participation in physical education, and involvement in sports teams.

The findings show a decline in these behaviors from 2013 to 2023, with only a few indicators showing signs of improvement in the most recent two-year period. Across all years in the report, the CDC rated each trend with a color of red, indicating that trend is moving in the "wrong direction."

Specifically, the percentage of students who were physically active for at least 60 minutes daily has not shown significant improvement over the past decade. In 2013, 27% of students met this guideline, but this figure decreased to 25% by 2023. The report also highlights that the percentage of students engaging in muscle-strengthening activities at least 3 days per week decreased from 52% in 2013 to 51% in 2023, despite a slight increase observed between 2021 and 2023 (45% vs 51%, respectively).

Participation in physical education classes also saw a decline. The percentage of students attending physical education daily dropped from 29% in 2013 to 27% in 2023. This decline raises concerns about the opportunities available for students to engage in structured physical activity during school hours. Additionally, the report noted that participation in sports teams has fluctuated, with 54% of students having participated in 2013, down to 49% in 2021, with then a slight increase reported to 52% in 2023.

Related: CDC releases youth risk dietary behavior report from 2013-2023

The report emphasizes disparities in physical activity levels among different demographic groups. Female students consistently reported lower levels of physical activity compared to their male counterparts. In 2023, 17% of female students were physically active for at least 60 minutes daily, while male students reported higher engagement in physical activity (32%). This trend has remained consistent over the years, indicating a persistent gap in physical activity participation between genders.

Racial and ethnic disparities are also evident in the data. The report indicated that students from most racial and ethnic groups experienced declines in physical activity levels, with no significant changes observed in the most recent two-year period.

Despite these concerning trends, the report noted some positive changes in the most recent data collection period. For instance, the percentage of students engaging in muscle-strengthening activities at least three 3 per week increased between 2021 and 2023 for both males and females. This improvement may be attributed to increased opportunities for physical activity as students returned to in-person schooling after extended periods of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The findings from the YRBS report underscore the importance of promoting physical activity among high school students to support their overall health and well-being. The decline in physical activity levels highlights the need for targeted interventions and policies that encourage active lifestyles among adolescents. Schools play a crucial role in providing opportunities for physical activity through physical education classes, sports programs, and extracurricular activities.

In conclusion, the YRBS Data Summary & Trends Report reveals a concerning trend in physical activity behaviors among U.S. high school students, with declines observed across various indicators over the past decade. Addressing these trends requires a concerted effort from educators, policymakers, and communities to create environments that promote and facilitate physical activity among adolescents, ultimately contributing to their long-term health and well-being, according to the CDC.

Reference:

Youth risk behavior survey data summary & trends report for dietary, physical activity, and sleep behaviors: 2013-2023. CDC. January 14, 2025. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/yrbs/dstr/pdf/DSTR-Dietary-PhysicalActivity-SleepBehavior2013-2023-508.pdf?ACSTrackingID=DM143930&ACSTrackingLabel=New%20CDC%20Report%20on%20Student%20Dietary%2C%20Physical%20Activity%2C%20and%20Sleep%20Behaviors%20Released!%20-%20Healthy%20Schools&deliveryName=DM143930