The Transition out of High School:: A Time Of Increased Cancer Risk from Dietary Behaviors?

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify increased cancer risk behaviors during the transition out of high school.Low intakes of fruits and vegetables (F&V) are related to increased cancer risk Little research has focused on dietary behavior in the transition out of high school (HS), when diet is likely to change due to changes in school status, employment, living arrangements, income, and marital status. To assess the effect of the transition on F&V intake, we used data from the 1992 National Health Interview Survey-Youth Risk Behavior Supplement completed by 12*21 year old persons. Five groups were created based on age and school status: HS students, HS dropouts, HS grads-working, HS grads with some college-working, college students. Within groups, Years to/from Transition, defined as leaving HS, were calculated. Analyses were limited to those 15-21 years old who were within three years of the transition (n=6,383). F&V intake was determined from questions about fruit, juice, salad, and cooked vegetables consumed the previous day. Mean dairy intakes for the total sample were 0.93 servings of vegetables and 1.42 servings of fruit HS students consumed significantly more servings of fruit [1.54] than HS dropouts [1.20], HS grads [1.18], and HS grads with some college [1.26]. This average 0.31 difference in servings of fruit is a 20% decline from the HS values and reflects the level of change reported in recent intervention studies. HS students and HS grads with some college consumed more servings of vegetables (.92 and 1.02, respectively) than HS dropouts [.74] and HS grads [.87]. Within groups, fruit intake decreased post transition for HS dropouts, HS grads, and HS grads with college. Similar analyses will be conducted with NHANES 3 data. These cross sectional data suggest an increased cancer risk during the transition, but longitudinal research is warranted to precisely identify the determinants of these dietary changes within these groups. Future interventions to improve F&V intake can be planned, based on these findings.