The roots of alcoholism begin early in life, experts have found in a study that reveals experimentation with the hard stuff can commence as early as the fourth grade.
Analyzing surveys of children in 39 states over a 15-year period, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found what they called alarming trends: 10 percent of fourth-graders have already had more than a sip of alcohol and 7 percent have had a full adult-size drink. Beverages ranged from beer, wine and wine coolers to stronger spirits. The study examined surveys of childhood alcohol use from 1990 through 2005.
Most children who try alcohol usually take their first sip - or belt down a full drink - between fifth and sixth grades, associate professor of psychiatry and epidemiology John Donovan found. The surveys he analyzed involved children who admitted consuming at least one drink in the past year. Each yearly survey involved responses from 26,000 to 39,000 children."I don't think that children need to be enticed to try alcohol," Donovan said. But, he said, role models abound.
"Sixty-five percent of adults in this country are drinkers and many prime-time television programs have images of drinking. Magazines are filled with ads of alcoholic beverages."
Most studies, Donovan said, focus on college-age students and the phenomenon of binge drinking. But alcohol consumption, he contends, doesn't start at age 18. Early drinking, he said, increases the chances of alcoholism. He also said early exposure to beer and spirits results in problems such as violence, teenage pregnancies and car accidents.
Donovan said some parents trigger their children's interest in alcoholic beverages. "I think sometimes parents offer alcohol to children, a sip or a drink. Or, alcohol may be around after an adult party. In some instances, kids may be given a sip on New Year's Eve. Frankly, parents ought not offer it and they should make sure that alcohol is not readily accessible to children."
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsalc315353259aug31,0,4916404,full.story
Analyzing surveys of children in 39 states over a 15-year period, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found what they called alarming trends: 10 percent of fourth-graders have already had more than a sip of alcohol and 7 percent have had a full adult-size drink. Beverages ranged from beer, wine and wine coolers to stronger spirits. The study examined surveys of childhood alcohol use from 1990 through 2005.
Most children who try alcohol usually take their first sip - or belt down a full drink - between fifth and sixth grades, associate professor of psychiatry and epidemiology John Donovan found. The surveys he analyzed involved children who admitted consuming at least one drink in the past year. Each yearly survey involved responses from 26,000 to 39,000 children."I don't think that children need to be enticed to try alcohol," Donovan said. But, he said, role models abound.
"Sixty-five percent of adults in this country are drinkers and many prime-time television programs have images of drinking. Magazines are filled with ads of alcoholic beverages."
Most studies, Donovan said, focus on college-age students and the phenomenon of binge drinking. But alcohol consumption, he contends, doesn't start at age 18. Early drinking, he said, increases the chances of alcoholism. He also said early exposure to beer and spirits results in problems such as violence, teenage pregnancies and car accidents.
Donovan said some parents trigger their children's interest in alcoholic beverages. "I think sometimes parents offer alcohol to children, a sip or a drink. Or, alcohol may be around after an adult party. In some instances, kids may be given a sip on New Year's Eve. Frankly, parents ought not offer it and they should make sure that alcohol is not readily accessible to children."
http://www.newsday.com/news/health/ny-hsalc315353259aug31,0,4916404,full.story