ALCOHOL-DRINKING AND BLOOD-PRESSURE AMONG ADOLESCENTS

The purpose of this study was to evaluate alcohol consumption among ad olescents from Tucuman, Argentina, and to determine its possible relat ionship with increased levels of blood pressure. Three hundred fifty-s ix students aged 13-18 included in the study were asked to answer ques tionnaires anonymously. Two blood pressures measures were then taken. Differences between both sexes were found in quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Enjoyment was determined to be the main reason f or drinking. There was an association between frequency and alcohol-re lated problems, and smoking habits. There were also differences in blo od pressure among males and females. A weak, but significant, relation ship between quantity/frequency index and diastolic blood pressure was found. A greater prevalence of hypertension in male heavy drinkers wa s noted as well. Because this addiction implies multiple social proble ms and it also accounts for a hypertension risk factor, the importance of aiming at developing prevention strategies for alcohol abuse among adolescents is stressed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.