the boys initiative

Since the late 1980s, there have been some important changes in teen boys’ sexual behavior, particularly the proportion who have had sex.  One of the most important studies on male sexual behavior, It's a Guy Thing, was conducted in 2006 by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

The percentage of children who are overweight has increased from 6% in 1976-1980 to 18% in 2004.

• Despite being more likely to participate in organized sports or meet recommended guidelines for exercise and physical activity than girls, boys are also more likely to spend more than three hours a day watching television or playing computer games than girls.

• Adolescent males are more likely to be overweight or at risk of becoming overweight than girls, but are less likely to describe themselves as overweight or try to lose weight (either through diet or exercise).

• Due to the dramatic increase of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese, the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has also increased substantially (from 5% in previous years to as much as 30%-50% in some studies).

• Boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with asthma, and are more likely to suffer from hay fever or respiratory allergies.

• Boys generally miss more school due to injury or illness than girls.

• More than 10% of all children have not seen a health care professional in at least a year.

• Approximately 5% of all children have no regular or usual health care provider.

• Boys are more likely than girls to have chronic health conditions which limit their ability to walk, care for themselves, or participate in other activities.