CDC survey finds 4 in 5 US teenagers have low heart health scores

A study published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reveals that approximately four out of five high school students in the United States have low or moderate cardiovascular health scores.

Researchers utilized data from the 2025 Youth Risk Behavior Survey to assess health across five key metrics: physical activity, diet, sleep health, body mass index (BMI), and nicotine exposure. These metrics align with the American Heart Association’s LE8 scoring system, though the survey did not include clinical measures like blood pressure or glucose levels due to the lack of physical examinations.

The findings highlight a concerning trend where cardiovascular health behaviors often decline as adolescents age. The report notes that many risk factors for cardiovascular disease emerge during childhood and adolescence, including rising rates of obesity and prediabetes. The study emphasizes that adolescence is a critical period for developing health behaviors that persist into adulthood.