Teen Binge Drinking
Definition: Percent of youth in grades 6, 8, 10, and 12 who have had five or more drinks in a row in the last two weeks.
Importance
Underage drinking is strongly associated with many health and social problems among youth including alcohol-impaired driving, violence, poor school performance, sexual activity and smoking.
Where We Are
In 2014, 8.2% of youth in Douglas County reported binge drinking in the prior 2 weeks. The percent in Douglas County was lower than the State of Kansas in all years between 2010 and 2014.
Health Disparities
Among youth in Douglas County in 2014:
Not available.
Additional Information
Many young people start drinking before the age of 15. The age range between 11 and 18 is an impressionable period when youth are especially susceptible to outside influences such as peers, family members and the media.
Studies have shown that parents have a significant influence on young people’s decisions about alcohol consumption, especially when parents create supportive and nurturing environments in which their children can make their own decisions. In fact, more than 80% of children say parents are the leading influence in their decision to drink or not.
Importance
Underage drinking is strongly associated with many health and social problems among youth including alcohol-impaired driving, violence, poor school performance, sexual activity and smoking.
Where We Are
In 2014, 8.2% of youth in Douglas County reported binge drinking in the prior 2 weeks. The percent in Douglas County was lower than the State of Kansas in all years between 2010 and 2014.
Health Disparities
Among youth in Douglas County in 2014:
- Binge drinking increased as grade level increased.
- The portion of youth in Douglas County was lower than the State of Kansas for all grades.
Not available.
Additional Information
Many young people start drinking before the age of 15. The age range between 11 and 18 is an impressionable period when youth are especially susceptible to outside influences such as peers, family members and the media.
Studies have shown that parents have a significant influence on young people’s decisions about alcohol consumption, especially when parents create supportive and nurturing environments in which their children can make their own decisions. In fact, more than 80% of children say parents are the leading influence in their decision to drink or not.