Health risks of Oregon eighth-grade participants in the "choking game": results from a population-based survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the risk behaviors associated with participation in the "choking game" by eighth-graders in Oregon. METHODS: We obtained data from the 2009 Oregon Healthy Teens survey, a cross-sectional weighted survey of 5348 eighth-graders that questioned lifetime prevalence and frequency of choking game participation. The survey also included questions about physical and mental health, gambling, sexual activity, nutrition, physical activity/body image, exposure to violence, and substance use. RESULTS: Lifetime prevalence of choking game participation was 6.1% for Oregon eighth-graders, with no differences between males and females. Of the eighth-grade choking game participants, 64% had engaged in the activity more than once and 26.6% >5 times. Among males, black youth were more likely to participate than white youth. Among both females and males, Pacific Islander youth were much more likely to participate than white youth. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that sexual activity and substance use were significantly associated with choking game participation for both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: At >6%, the prevalence of choking game participation among Oregon youth is consistent with previous findings. However, we found that most of those who participate will put themselves at risk more than once. Participants also have other associated health risk behaviors. The comprehensive adolescent well visit, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, is a good opportunity for providers to conduct a health behavior risk assessment and, if appropriate, discuss the dangers of engaging in this activity.

Correlates of gambling among eighth-grade boys and girls.

BACKGROUND: This study examined the correlates of gambling behavior among eighth-grade students. METHODS: Children (n = 15,865) enrolled in publicly funded schools in Oregon completed the 2008 Oregon Healthy Teens survey. Multivariate logistic regression analyses assessed the combined and independent associations between risk and protective factors with active gambling among male and female youth separately. RESULTS: Approximately 17% of eighth-grade girls and 33% of eighth-grade boys had gambled during the past 3 months. Most health risk behaviors were positively associated with gambling. However, gambling was also positively associated with frequent physical activity participation and, among boys, eating 5 daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Logistic regression analyses identified significant differences among risk and protective factors between active gamblers and non-gamblers. Regardless of gender, relative to active gamblers, non-gamblers were more likely to hold strong personal health beliefs, be uninvolved in antisocial behavior, exhibit good safety behaviors, and not have experienced a mouth injury while playing sports during the past year. Female gamblers were more likely to be active tobacco users, to speak a language other than English at home, and engage in more than 2 hours a day of screen time than non-gamblers. Male gamblers were more likely to be physically active, Hispanic, use alcohol, and perceive lower levels of social control in their neighborhoods than non-gamblers. CONCLUSIONS: Gambling may be a topic that is appropriate for inclusion in school programs targeting health risk reduction among eighth-grade students.