Rachel V Thomas

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Teen Girls in US Have Lower Heart Health Scores Than Boys: CDC Study

Female high school students in the United States had lower overall cardiovascular health scores than male students, with mean scores of 64.2 and 66.2, respectively, according to a nationwide survey by the <span>US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</span> (CDC).

The findings, based on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 framework, showed that female students had lower mean scores for physical activity and sleep health but higher, more favorable BMI scores than male students.

Lower physical activity and sleep health scores were also observed among students in higher grades, while nicotine exposure scores were lower among students in higher grades.

<h2>CDC Study Assesses <span rel="noindex">Heart Health</span> Among US Teenagers</h2>

<strong>Also read: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/4-in-10-us-high-school-students-report-binge-eating-what-are-the-risks-article-156347416" data-type="tilCustomLink">4 in 10 US High School Students Report Binge Eating: What Are the Risks?</a>

The 2025 biennial <span>Youth Risk Behavior Survey</span> included 10,710 students in grades 9–12. Of these, 5,192 had complete data for all five cardiovascular health measures: physical activity, diet, sleep health, body mass index (BMI), and nicotine exposure.

The findings, published in the CDC’s <span>Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report</span>, showed that approximately 21% of students had high overall cardiovascular health scores, while 61% had moderate scores and 18% had low scores.

The prevalence of high overall scores was lower among female students and those in grades 10–12 than among male students and ninth-graders, respectively. Overall, approximately four in five students had low or moderate scores across the five assessed cardiovascular health measures.

<h2>Why Sleep, Diet and Exercise Matter for Teen Heart Health</h2>

<strong>Read More: </strong><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/parenting/the-silent-struggle-of-raising-a-child-with-mental-health-challenges-how-parents-can-cope-with-stigma-article-156348126" data-type="tilCustomLink">The Silent Struggle Of Raising A Child With Mental Health Challenges: How Parents Can Cope With Stigma</a>

Cardiovascular diseases (<span>CVD</span>s) are the leading causes of mortality in the US, and many CVD risk factors emerge in childhood and adolescence. Adolescence is a crucial period during which health behaviors develop and persist into adulthood.

A March 2026 study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggested that even small, combined improvements in daily habits may benefit cardiovascular health.

Sleeping an additional 11 minutes, engaging in five more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and eating an extra quarter-cup of vegetables daily were associated with a 10% lower risk of heart attacks, strokes and other serious cardiovascular problems compared with less healthy habits.

Sleep is particularly important during adolescence, when the body and brain undergo significant developmental changes. Adequate sleep supports physical recovery, immune function, concentration and emotional well-being.

Teenagers generally need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. However, schoolwork, extracurricular activities and screen time can interfere with sufficient rest. Research has also linked insufficient sleep with less healthy food choices and a greater tendency to eat later at night.

Elsie Taveras, a pediatrician at Mass General Brigham, highlights the importance of adequate sleep in reducing the risk of chronic conditions, including obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Children from racial minority and lower-income households may face additional barriers to healthy sleep.

“Sleep health is something we need to pay attention to, and that we counsel teenagers and their families about,” Taveras said.

“We’ve found that shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality in children and adolescents are associated with a higher risk of obesity and risk factors for heart disease. These are substantial effects that can affect children for years to come,” she added.

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Female high school students in the United States had lower overall cardiovascular health scores than male students, with mean scores of 64.2 and 66.2, respectively, according to a nationwide survey by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The findings, based on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 framework, showed that female students had lower mean scores for physical activity and sleep health but higher, more favorable BMI scores than male students.Lower physical activity and sleep health scores were also observed among students in higher grades, while nicotine exposure scores were lower among students in higher grades.CDC Study Assesses Heart Health Among US TeenagersAlso read: 4 in 10 US High School Students Report Binge Eating: What Are the Risks?The 2025 biennial Youth Risk Behavior Survey included 10,710 students in grades 9–12. Of these, 5,192 had complete data for all five cardiovascular health measures: physical activity, diet, sleep health, body mass index (BMI), and nicotine exposure.The findings, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, showed that approximately 21% of students had high overall cardiovascular health scores, while 61% had moderate scores and 18% had low scores.The prevalence of high overall scores was lower among female students and those in grades 10–12 than among male students and ninth-graders, respectively. Overall, approximately four in five students had low or moderate scores across the five assessed cardiovascular health measures.Why Sleep, Diet and Exercise Matter for Teen Heart HealthRead More: The Silent Struggle Of Raising A Child With Mental Health Challenges: How Parents Can Cope With StigmaCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of mortality in the US, and many CVD risk factors emerge in childhood and adolescence. Adolescence is a crucial period during which health behaviors develop and persist into adulthood.A March 2026 study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology suggested that even small, combined improvements in daily habits may benefit cardiovascular health.Sleeping an additional 11 minutes, engaging in five more minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and eating an extra quarter-cup of vegetables daily were associated with a 10% lower risk of heart attacks, strokes and other serious cardiovascular problems compared with less healthy habits.Sleep is particularly important during adolescence, when the body and brain undergo significant developmental changes. Adequate sleep supports physical recovery, immune function, concentration and emotional well-being.Teenagers generally need eight to 10 hours of sleep each night. However, schoolwork, extracurricular activities and screen time can interfere with sufficient rest. Research has also linked insufficient sleep with less healthy food choices and a greater tendency to eat later at night.Elsie Taveras, a pediatrician at Mass General Brigham, highlights the importance of adequate sleep in reducing the risk of chronic conditions, including obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Children from racial minority and lower-income households may face additional barriers to healthy sleep. “Sleep health is something we need to pay attention to, and that we counsel teenagers and their families about,” Taveras said.“We’ve found that shorter sleep duration and lower sleep quality in children and adolescents are associated with a higher risk of obesity and risk factors for heart disease. These are substantial effects that can affect children for years to come,” she added.

teen girls in us have lower heart health scores than boys: cdc study

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