Increase in Physical Activity Linked to Better Mental Health Among NC Students
Recent findings from the 2023 NC Youth Risk Behavior Surveys (YRBS) reveal a noteworthy improvement in the mental health of North Carolina students, coinciding with an increase in their physical activity levels. These results were presented to the State Board of Education, highlighting a positive shift after years of declining metrics in both areas.
The data indicates a significant drop in the number of high school students experiencing feelings of sadness or hopelessness, with figures falling from 43 percent in 2021 to 39 percent in 2023. Middle school students also reported a decrease, from 35 percent to 32 percent over the same period.
Additional improvements were observed in students’ perceptions of themselves and their connections with teachers. Notably, the percentage of high school students who seriously contemplated suicide reduced from 22 percent in 2021 to 18 percent in 2023.
Physical activity among students has seen a marked increase as well. The survey shows that 42 percent of high school students engaged in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on five or more days a week, compared to 34 percent in 2021. For middle school students, this number rose from 44 percent to 52 percent.
The NC Youth Risk Behavior Surveys are administered biennially to randomly selected students from both middle and high schools. Participation is anonymous, and parents have the option to opt their child out of the survey.
This year’s survey included new questions about social media use, acknowledging its growing influence in students’ lives. More than 80 percent of high school students report using social media multiple times a day, with half accessing it at least once an hour. Among middle schoolers, 63 percent use social media several times daily.
Additionally, the survey shows a decline in the use of vape products, marijuana, and alcohol among high school students. Cigarette smoking remains at an all-time low of 4 percent, while no significant changes were noted in prescription painkiller use or bullying incidents.
The 2023 survey results display a substantial improvement from the 2021 data, which was collected after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Deputy State Superintendent Michael Maher expressed optimism, stating, “It is so encouraging to see that students are not only recovering from the effects of the pandemic, but in many cases doing better than they were in 2019 and before.”
Ellen Essick, section chief for NC Healthy Schools, emphasized the proven benefits of exercise on mental health. A proposed amendment to the Healthy Active Children Policy was introduced to extend physical activity recommendations, aiming to provide high school students with 60 minutes of activity per week. Essick stated, “We’ve heard over and over from school leaders that student mental health is a top priority for them, and it’s a top priority for us at NCDPI, too. Based on the YRBS data and national research, we believe this addition to the Healthy Active Children Policy will make a positive impact.”
The Board is expected to vote on this policy amendment in their upcoming July meeting.
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