The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) found that which of the following behaviors was most common among high school students?

The 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) findings indicate that abstaining from sexual intercourse was the most common behavior reported among high school students. This conclusion reflects broader trends in adolescent behavior, as many young individuals choose to delay sexual activity for various reasons, including personal, social, and educational motivations.

The high prevalence of abstaining from sexual activity can also be linked to increased awareness and education about risks associated with sexual behaviors, such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies. Various health education programs and campaigns have reinforced the importance of making informed decisions regarding sexual health, which likely contributed to the decision by many students to abstain from sexual intercourse.

On the other hand, while tobacco use, binge drinking, and recreational drug use were certainly reported, these behaviors have seen fluctuations and, in some cases, declines due to public health initiatives aimed at reducing substance use among teens. Each of those behaviors carries significant risks and is often targeted by prevention programs, which may explain why abstaining became the most common response among the population surveyed.