What are the six risky behaviors?

Asked by: Sylvan Lockman  |  Last update: June 23, 2026
Score: 5/5 (46 votes)

The 6 risk behaviors identified by the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) are actions that contribute to unintentional injuries/violence, sexual behaviors (unintended pregnancy/STDs), alcohol/drug use, tobacco use, unhealthy diets, and inadequate physical activity.

What are the 6 risk behaviors and explain them?

High-risk behaviors are defined as acts that increase the risk of disease or injury, which can subsequently lead to disability, death, or social problems. The most common high-risk behaviors include violence, alcoholism, tobacco use disorder, risky sexual behaviors, and eating disorders.

What are six health risk behaviors?

Six key risk behaviors have been identified as increasing the risk of chronic disease, including smoking, alcohol use, physical inactivity, poor diet, sedentary behavior (e.g., recreational screen time), and poor sleep [3].

What are 6 risk factors?

The six major controllable risk factors for chronic illness and premature death are poor nutrition, lack of exercise, tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep hygiene, and unmanaged stress. Modifying these behavioral factors is crucial for preventing diseases like cardiovascular conditions and diabetes.

What are the Big 6 lifestyle risk behaviors?

Introduction. Alcohol use, tobacco smoking, recreational screen time, physical inactivity, poor diet, and poor sleep (hereafter referred to as the Big 6) are key risk factors for obesity,1 mental health disorders,2 and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancers.

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40 related questions found

What are the risky behaviors?

Many behaviors are risky for your health and happiness. The main hazards include using tobacco, alcohol or illegal drugs, engaging in violent behavior, and sexual activity. Sometimes these activities can start a slippery slope and you go further than you mean to go.

What are the types of risk behaviour?

Risk behaviors are actions that jeopardize a person's physical, emotional, or social well-being, often offering short-term gratification despite long-term harm. Key categories include substance abuse (drugs, alcohol, tobacco), unsafe sexual activity, reckless driving, violence, self-harm, and antisocial behaviors like stealing or vandalism.

What are the 6 risk behaviors identified by the CDC?

YRBSS In Brief

  • Behaviors that contribute to unintentional injuries and violence.
  • Sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.
  • Alcohol and other drug use.
  • Tobacco use.
  • Unhealthy dietary behaviors.
  • Inadequate physical activity.

What are the 6 stages of healthy behavior?

The transtheoretical model posits that health behavior change involves progress through six stages of change: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination.

What are the big 4 health behaviors?

Just four behaviors are at the root of a large portion of the nation's chronic disease burden. Those behaviors are: physical inactivity, poor eating habits, tobacco use and alcohol consumption.

What are the six types of risk?

Key business risks include financial, operational, strategic, compliance, reputational, and cyber risks. These categories help organizations identify, assess, and manage threats to their sustainability and profitability.

What is the big 6 in health?

They list “The Big 6” pathogens (Norovirus, Nontyphoidal Salmonella, Salmonella Typhi, E. coli, Shigella, and Hepatitis A) as being highly infectious, able to cause severe disease in small quantities, and each will be featured individually in this series of articles.

What are the 6 categories of risky play?

6 types of risky play

Ellen Sandseter has identified six categories of risks that children seem attracted to, these are: great heights, rapid speeds, dangerous tools, dangerous elements, rough and tumble, and disappearing/getting lost.

What are the 6 risk behaviors and examples?

It's normal for you to feel worried about risky behaviour like:

  • unprotected sexual activity.
  • sexting.
  • tobacco smoking, alcohol use and binge-drinking.
  • illegal substance use.
  • dangerous driving.
  • illegal activities like trespassing or vandalism.
  • fighting.
  • truancy.

What are the six pillars of lifestyle?

The 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine are evidence-based interventions aimed at preventing, treating, and reversing chronic diseases by addressing the root causes. These pillars include a whole-food, plant-predominant eating pattern, regular physical activity, restorative sleep, stress management, positive social connections, and the avoidance of risky substances.

What are 10 unhealthy habits?

Common unhealthy habits that negatively impact physical and mental health include smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor sleep, lack of exercise, and sedentary behavior. Other habits include unhealthy eating (such as eating from the package), excessive screen time, ignoring mental health, and social isolation.

What are 10 different behaviours of concern?

Ten Examples of Behaviours of Concern

  • Pyhsical Aggression. Physical aggression towards others, which can include hitting, biting or kicking. ...
  • Verbal Aggression. ...
  • Property Destruction. ...
  • Non Compliance. ...
  • Withdrawal or Isolation. ...
  • Repetitive or Obsessive Actions. ...
  • Inappropriate Social Behaviour. ...
  • Sexualised Behaviour.

What are positive risk behaviours?

Positive risk-taking can include trying new activities in various areas, such as: Physical: Trying sports like mountain biking, rock climbing, or other physically challenging activities. Mental: Taking part in activities that stretch their thinking, such as a public speaking course or learning a new skill.

What are 5 common risk factors?

Lifestyle Risk Factors

  • Lack of physical activity.
  • Poor nutrition.
  • Not getting enough sleep.
  • Tobacco use.
  • Excessive alcohol use.