Patterns of alcohol use and multiple risk behaviour by gender during early and late adolescence: the ALSPAC cohort.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Adolescent risk behaviours such as smoking, alcohol use and antisocial behaviour are associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Patterns of risk behaviour may vary between genders during adolescence.

Methods

Analysis of data from a longitudinal birth cohort to assess the prevalence and distribution of multiple risk behaviours by gender at age 15-16 years with a focus on alcohol use at age 10, 13 and 15 years.

Results

By age 15 years, over half of boys and girls had consumed alcohol and one-fifth had engaged in binge drinking with no clear difference by gender. At age 15-16 years, the most prevalent risk behaviours were physical inactivity (74%), antisocial and criminal behaviour (42%) and hazardous drinking (34%). Boys and girls engaged in a

SUBMITTER: MacArthur GJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3284864 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature