A survey of risky behaviors among students in nearly a dozen area school districts found that a large percentage of students face high academic stress, and cope by exercising and watching television.

The latest Emerson Hospital Youth Risk Behavior Survey, administered last spring to 10,580 students in grades 6, 8, and 9 through 12, provides statistics about adolescent risk behavior patterns such as bullying, stress levels, cellphone usage while driving, sexual behavior, personal safety, violence, suicide, substance abuse, gambling, HIV/AIDS education, dietary habits, and physical activity.