Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health Behavior

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute Of Child Health & Human Development

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Abstract

The NEXT Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health examines a nationally representative cohort of 2,700 10th-grade students recruited during the 2009-2010 school year from 81 schools with an oversample of African-American students. In 10th grade, participants completed a survey focusing on substance use, physical activity, diet, driving, developmental status, health status, and health care. Geocodes of home addresses are linked with other databases to provide neighborhood information and a school administrator survey provides information about school environment, programs, and policies. Substance use was examined at baseline (grade 10). Recent alcohol use was reported by more than one-third (35%) of these adolescents, binge drinking by 27%, and cigarette smoking by 19%. Use of marijuana was most common among illicit drugs (26%), followed by misuse of medication (9%) and use of other illicit drugs (8%). Non-users of drugs reported lower levels of depressive and physical health symptoms, whereas users of multiple drugs reported higher levels of physical health and depressive symptoms. In the year after high school, participants complete the survey on-line or by phone. Using the anthropometric data gathered at the initial assessment, NEXT participants are categorized as overweight or normal weight based on CDC guidelines. A total of 280 overweight and 280 normal weight were randomly selected for participation in NEXT Plus. NEXT Plus participants complete three 24-hour dietary recalls, wear an accelerometer during waking hours to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior for 7 days, wear an actiwatch continuously for 7 days to assess sleep patterns, and complete an activity diary during the same 7-day period. Blood pressure is assessed in addition to repeating the anthropometric measures. Fasting blood samples are collected to assay fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL, C-reactive protein, uric acid, and cotinine. Participants in NEXT Plus complete a brief survey asking about the prescription or over-the-counter medicines he/she takes on a regular basis and details about the neighborhood where he/she lives.