Alcohol and youth, are there differences in the consumption of men and women according to their beginning of consumption?

Abstract

In adolescence, alcohol consumption is one of the most demanding health problems. However, both adolescents and society show a low perception of seriousness. In this context, the beginning of consumption might establish differences in patterns, facilitating their consolidation. Therefore, it is analyzed if there are differences between those people who started their consumption before and after 14 years, in terms of frequency of consumption, perceived benefits and problems. For this purpose, 894 young Spaniards between 18 and 22 years old (33.6% men and 67.3% women), completed a questionnaire about health habits aimed at young people. According to results, 99.4% consume alcohol at the present and more than a third percent started before age 14. Men would begin both earlier consumption and their first drunkenness (between 10 and 12 years), showing statistically significant differences compared to women, for the first one (Chi2 = 15.66; p≤, 008). In general, in both men and women, it is observed how people who started the consumption before the age of 14 show a greater frequency. In some cases, as in the daily intake of beer, they double the consumption of those who started it later. In addition, they report more damages due to alcohol consumption, as well as perceiving benefits related to their consumption such as feeling more secure, meeting people more easily, feeling euphoria or fighting boredom more easily. Thus, the results support a greater risk exposure, behavioral and attitudinal, among those people who started drinking earlier. In this way, it is supported the importance of delaying the consumption of alcohol and, consequently, managing preventive plans aimed at younger ages.