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Indicator Gauge Icon Legend

Legend Colors

Red is bad, green is good, blue is not statistically different/neutral.

Compared to Distribution

an indicator guage with the arrow in the green the value is in the best half of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the yellow the value is in the 2nd worst quarter of communities.

an indicator guage with the arrow in the red the value is in the worst quarter of communities.

Compared to Target

green circle with white tick inside it meets target; red circle with white cross inside it does not meet target.

Compared to a Single Value

green diamond with downward arrow inside it lower than the comparison value; red diamond with downward arrow inside it higher than the comparison value; blue diamond with downward arrow inside it not statistically different from comparison value.

Trend

green square outline with upward trending arrow inside it green square outline with downward trending arrow inside it non-significant change over time; green square with upward trending arrow inside it green square with downward trending arrow inside it significant change over time; blue square with equals sign no change over time.

Compared to Prior Value

green triangle with upward trending arrow inside it higher than the previous measurement period; green triangle with downward trending arrow inside it lower than the previous measurement period; blue equals sign no statistically different change  from previous measurement period.

green chart bars Significantly better than the overall value

red chart bars Significantly worse than the overall value

light blue chart bars No significant difference with the overall value

gray chart bars No data on significance available

More information about the gauges and icons

Teens who Use Diet Pills

Measurement Period: 2013
This indicator shows the percentage of high school students who took diet pills, powder or liquids to lose weight or to keep from gaining weight (without a doctor's advice) during the 30 days preceding the survey.

Why is this important?

Many over-the-count diet pills are intended for adults and are not recommended for anyone under 18. They carry some unpleasant side effects such as gas (farting), oily discharge, and diarrhea.  Herb and supplement diet-pills are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore not held to the same standard as prescription and OTC drugs.  Some of these products may claim weight loss without diet or exercise, but in reality they are ineffective and have side effects that can be as serious as those seen with prescription and OTC drugs such as bloating, diarrhea, and serious heart problems. The most effective method for teens who want to losing weight is lifestyle changes that include eating healthy foods, smaller portions, and exercise.
More...
5.4%
Source: CDC Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
Measurement period: 2013
Maintained by: DC Healthy Communities Collaborative
Last update: November 2014

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Data Source

Filed under: Health / Nutrition & Healthy Eating, Health / Adolescent Health, Teens