What This Means
This research suggests that the cardiovascular health of U.S. high school students in 2025 is a significant public health concern. Using data from a nationally representative survey of over 5,000 students, researchers scored five key health behaviors and indicators — diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, sleep, and body weight — on a scale of 0 to 100. The average overall score was 65.3 out of 100, and about four out of five students fell in the low or moderate range, meaning very few teenagers are meeting ideal cardiovascular health standards. Diet was the weakest area, with an average score of only 39.3, while body weight and nicotine exposure were relative strengths.
The research also found notable differences across demographic groups. Younger students (9th graders) tended to have better cardiovascular health scores than older students (12th graders), suggesting health behaviors may worsen as teens progress through high school. Female students scored slightly lower than male students overall. Among racial and ethnic groups, Asian students had the highest average scores, while Black or African American students had the lowest, pointing to potential disparities that may warrant targeted support.
These findings matter because cardiovascular health habits established during adolescence can have lasting effects into adulthood. This research suggests that schools and communities have important opportunities to promote healthier eating, more physical activity, better sleep habits, and reduced nicotine use among teenagers — particularly as these behaviors appear to decline over the high school years and differ meaningfully across demographic groups.