H&S 2: RISK FACTORS FOR ILLNESS

UTAHNS WILL ACHIEVE A HIGHER QUALITY OF LIFE BY ADOPTING SAFE, HEALTHY LIFESTYLES AND PROVIDING SAFE, HEALTHY ENVIRONMENTS.

Other Information:

• In 2001, over half of all Utah adults (55%) were at increased risk of adverse health effects due to their weight, with 20% being obese. The percentage of obese adults in Utah has doubled from 10% in 1990. • In 2001, only a quarter (26%) of Utah adults had regular physical activity (30 minutes of light or moderate activity 5 times a week). • Utah has the lowest smoking rates in the U.S. In 2001, 13% of adults smoked cigarettes. In 1999, 12% of Utah youth in grades 9-12 smoked cigarettes, down from 16% in 1997; 90% of adult smokers began as adolescents. • Two thirds of Utah drivers and front seat passengers, and 76% of children ages 0-8 were observed to be properly restrained (seat belt or car seat) in a 1999 study by the Utah Department of Public Safety. • Utah high school students were less likely to drink alcohol in the last 30 days compared with those in the U.S. (17.9% vs. 47.1% in the U.S., 2001). Binge drinking among adults was less common in Utah (Utah 9.7%, U.S. 14.6%, 2001). However, there are still 50 alcohol and drug-related motor vehicle crash fatalities each year in Utah. • In 2001, 8.2% of all Utah births were to mothers aged 19 or younger (3,914 births). In a 1999 survey of mothers, one-third indicated that their pregnancy had been unintended. Among mothers aged 19 and younger, over 80% indicated that the pregnancy was unintended. • Virtually all (98%) Utah adults surveyed in 2000 believed that children should receive HIV/AIDS education in school, and over two-thirds (68.8%) thought it should begin in elementary school grades. • One-fourth of Utah adults believe there is at least some chance that they will become infected with HIV, and 28.4% were tested for HIV in the past 12 months.

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