TV Watching and Computer Use in U.S. Youth Aged 12–15, 2012

July 9, 2014

Excessive screen-time behaviors, such as using a computer and watching TV, for more than 2 hours daily have been linked with elevated blood pressure, elevated serum cholesterol, and being overweight or obese among youth.  Additionally, screen-time behavior established in adolescence has been shown to track into adulthood. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute-supported Expert Panel and the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend that children limit leisure screen time to 2 hours or less daily.

A new report presents national estimates of TV watching and computer use outside of the school day.

Key Findings from the Report:

  • Nearly all (98.5%) youth aged 12–15 reported watching TV daily.
  • More than 9 in 10 (91.1%) youth aged 12–15 reported using the computer daily outside of school.
  • In 2012, 27.0% of youth aged 12–15 had 2 hours or less of TV plus computer use daily.
  • Among youth aged 12–15, girls (80.4%) were more likely to use the computer 2 hours or less daily when compared with boys (69.4%).
  • Fewer non-Hispanic black youth aged 12–15 (53.4%) reported watching 2 hours or less of TV daily than non-Hispanic white (65.8%) and Hispanic (68.7%) youth.

 


Wireless Substitution: Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, July–December 2013

July 8, 2014

Preliminary results from the July – December 2013 National Health Interview Survey indicate that the number of American homes with only wireless telephones continues to grow. Two in every five American homes (41%) had only wireless telephones (also known as cellular telephones, cell phones, or mobile phones) during the second half of 2013 — an increase of 1.6 percentage points since the first half of 2013 and 2.8 percentage points since the second half of 2012.  However, these increases are smaller than those observed in previous years.

This report presents the most up-to-date estimates available from the federal government concerning the size and characteristics of these populations.


QuickStats: Percentage of Adults with Activity Limitations, by Age Group and Type of Limitation — United States, 2012

July 3, 2014

In 2012, the percentages of adults with limitations in activities of daily living and limitations in instrumental activities of daily living increased with age.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6325a9.htm?s_cid=mm6325a9_w


STATE VITALS: LOUISIANA

July 1, 2014

Louisiana leads the United States in births by cesarean delivery and ranks second in births to unmarried mothers, preterm births and low birthweight.  The Bayou State also leads the nation in kidney disease.

However, Louisiana has a lower proportion of its population without health insurance than the national average.