Every third 15-year-old has several experiences of being completely drunk
Published on 2. März 2012, 10:56 h
Bielefeld research team studies the health behaviour of youth in North Rhine-Westphalia
According to a new study, every third boy and every fourth girl living in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia says that they have already been drunk at least twice by the age of 15. The study 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" (HBSC) is being run by a research team at Bielefeld University headed by Professor Dr. Petra Kolip from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
The fifth wave of the HBSC study surveyed youth throughout Germany. It was supplemented by a representative survey in North Rhine-Westphalia (the HBSC-NRW study). The 2009/2010 HBSC-NRW study shows that youth alcohol consumption continues to be widespread. A total of 15 per cent of 15-year-old girls and 25 per cent of boys report drinking alcohol at least once a week. Their favourite drinks are flavoured beers and beer followed by so-called 'alcopops' (spirits such as vodka mixed with lemonade or other soft drinks) whereas they hardly ever touch wine or sparkling wine.
Alcohol consumption and drunkenness increase with age, and both relate to family affluence. These relations are particularly strong in boys, while tending slightly in the opposite direction in girls. 'It is interesting to see that alcohol consumption is markedly more frequent in boys from affluent families, and binge drinking is also more frequent in these families', Professor Dr. Petra Kolip, the coordinator of the study, tells us. 'In contrast to the usual belief that risky alcohol consumption is found in socially disadvantaged families, our data show that risky consumption occurs in all social classes and is more marked in higher classes, at least among boys'. According to Kolip, these findings are supported by other studies.
The study also confirms gender. Even though the difference between girls and boys is no longer so strong, boys continue to drink more alcohol, drink more regularly, and get drunk more frequently. In contrast, a migration background seems to protect against regular and risky consumption – not least because alcohol consumption runs counter to religious and cultural norms. The Bielefeld research team conclude from their findings that intervention programmes should take an individual approach to promote moderate alcohol consumption and concentrate particularly on boys. In addition, the authors consider that there is a need for social and political action: advertising needs to be restricted and access to alcoholic products should be made more difficult.
The study is being coordinated by the Bielefeld WHO Collaborating Centre for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion headed by Professor Dr. Petra Kolip at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Health Sciences. The HBSC-NRW study surveyed a total of 5,860 pupils attending the 5th, 7th, and 9th grades of 108 general secondary schools. They completed a standardized questionnaire that asked not only about health-related behaviour but also how the pupils themselves appraise their health, well-being, and quality of life. The survey also assessed social influences on health and health-related behaviour such as school climate, family prosperity, and relationships with parents and friends.
The results of the study should be used to promote health and measures to improve health care. Fact sheets are being drawn up for parents and teachers that can be downloaded from the homepage of the German HBSC team at www.hbsc-germany.de/downloads The first series will address topics such as regular breakfasts, body images and dieting, sexuality and contraception, the use of computers and game consoles, as well as sport and exercise.
The WHO Collaborating Centre in Bielefeld is part of Bielefeld University's Faculty of Health Sciences. One of its main tasks is to carry out the HBSC study. A further mission is to support international publications based on HBSC findings such as the International Report on the 2009/2010 HBSC survey that will be published in May 2012.
For further information in the Internet, go to:
www.hbsc-germany.de
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Petra Kolip, Bielefeld University
Faculty of Health Sciences
Telephone: 0521 106-67273
Email: petra.kolip@uni-bielefeld.de
According to a new study, every third boy and every fourth girl living in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia says that they have already been drunk at least twice by the age of 15. The study 'Health Behaviour in School-aged Children" (HBSC) is being run by a research team at Bielefeld University headed by Professor Dr. Petra Kolip from the Faculty of Health Sciences.
Professor Dr. Petra Kolip (photo) and her team at Bielefeld University are now compiling fact sheets to present their findings on the health-related behaviour of pupils in North Rhine Westphalia.
Alcohol consumption and drunkenness increase with age, and both relate to family affluence. These relations are particularly strong in boys, while tending slightly in the opposite direction in girls. 'It is interesting to see that alcohol consumption is markedly more frequent in boys from affluent families, and binge drinking is also more frequent in these families', Professor Dr. Petra Kolip, the coordinator of the study, tells us. 'In contrast to the usual belief that risky alcohol consumption is found in socially disadvantaged families, our data show that risky consumption occurs in all social classes and is more marked in higher classes, at least among boys'. According to Kolip, these findings are supported by other studies.
The study also confirms gender. Even though the difference between girls and boys is no longer so strong, boys continue to drink more alcohol, drink more regularly, and get drunk more frequently. In contrast, a migration background seems to protect against regular and risky consumption – not least because alcohol consumption runs counter to religious and cultural norms. The Bielefeld research team conclude from their findings that intervention programmes should take an individual approach to promote moderate alcohol consumption and concentrate particularly on boys. In addition, the authors consider that there is a need for social and political action: advertising needs to be restricted and access to alcoholic products should be made more difficult.
The study is being coordinated by the Bielefeld WHO Collaborating Centre for Child and Adolescent Health Promotion headed by Professor Dr. Petra Kolip at Bielefeld University's Faculty of Health Sciences. The HBSC-NRW study surveyed a total of 5,860 pupils attending the 5th, 7th, and 9th grades of 108 general secondary schools. They completed a standardized questionnaire that asked not only about health-related behaviour but also how the pupils themselves appraise their health, well-being, and quality of life. The survey also assessed social influences on health and health-related behaviour such as school climate, family prosperity, and relationships with parents and friends.
The results of the study should be used to promote health and measures to improve health care. Fact sheets are being drawn up for parents and teachers that can be downloaded from the homepage of the German HBSC team at www.hbsc-germany.de/downloads The first series will address topics such as regular breakfasts, body images and dieting, sexuality and contraception, the use of computers and game consoles, as well as sport and exercise.
The WHO Collaborating Centre in Bielefeld is part of Bielefeld University's Faculty of Health Sciences. One of its main tasks is to carry out the HBSC study. A further mission is to support international publications based on HBSC findings such as the International Report on the 2009/2010 HBSC survey that will be published in May 2012.
For further information in the Internet, go to:
www.hbsc-germany.de
Contact:
Prof. Dr. Petra Kolip, Bielefeld University
Faculty of Health Sciences
Telephone: 0521 106-67273
Email: petra.kolip@uni-bielefeld.de
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