ALCOHOL DRINKING AND BLOOD PRESSURE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

JEREZ S AND COVIELLO A.

ALCOHOL

Elsevier Science

Lugar: New York; Año: 1998 vol. 16 p. 1 - 5

0741-8329

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alcohol consumption among adolescents from Tucuman, Argentina, and to determine its possible relationship with increased levels of blood pressure. Three hundred fifty-six students aged 13-18 included in this study were asked to answer questionnaires anonymously. Two blood pressure measures were then taken. Differences between both sexes were found in quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Enjoyment was determinated to be the main reason for drinking. There were an association between frequency and alcohol-related problems, and smoking habits. There were also differences in blood pressure among males and females. A week, but significant, relationship between quantity/frequency index and diastolic blood pressure was found. A greater prevalence of hypertension in male heavy drinkers was noted as well. Because this addiction implies multiple social problems and it also accounts for a hypertension risk factor, the importance of aiming at developing prevention strategies for alcohol abuse among adolescents is stressed.