Athletic Participation and the Health Risks of Adolescent Males: A National Study

Abstract

This study tested whether athletic participation was associated with lower rates of health risk behaviors among a nationwide sample of American male adolescents. Results are based on a secondary analysis of the 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, a nationally representative survey of public and private high school students in grades nine through 12 (male weighted N = 8,057), developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Logistic regression analysis tested hypothesized relationships between athletic participation and odds of illicit drug use, tobacco use, alcohol use, suicidal ideation and behavior, and vehicular risk. Control variables included age, race/ethnicity, social class, and school location. Athletic participation was associated with reduced risk for illicit drug use, cigarette smoking, and suicide. No overall differences between athletes and nonathletes were found in alcohol use and vehicular risk, though highly active athletes were more likely than nonathletes to report binge drinking and driving under the influence of alcohol. Athletes were also more likely than nonathletes to use chewing and dipping tobacco. The results suggest that high school athletic programs can both positively and negatively influence the health of adolescent males. Researchers and public health policymakers should further assess the real and potential benefits that school and community-based athletic programs can offer boys, their families, and communities.

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