Binge Drinking and Associated Health Risk Behaviors Among High School Students

Data on current drinking, binge drinking, & other health risk behaviours from the 2003 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey were analysed. Binge-drinking rates were similar among boys & girls. Students who binge drank were more likely than both nondrinkers & current drinkers who did not binge to report poor school performance & involvement in other health risk behaviours such as attempting suicide. A strong dose-response relationship was found between the frequency of binge drinking & the prevalence of other health risk behaviours. (57 refs.)