Drinking young quadruples the risk of girls having sex

Drinking before the age of 13 quadruples the risk of girls having sex young, new research reveals.

For both genders, having alcohol before 14 more than doubles the likelihood they will be prematurely sexual active, a study found.

Lead author Dr Kelly Ann Doran from Indiana University, said: ‘Adolescents who engage in early sex have higher risks for sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies.

‘Although the US has seen a drop in pregnancy rates, we still have one of the highest in the western industrialized world.

‘Impairment from alcohol increases the likelihood of being victimized or victimizing other people.’

Drinking before the age of 13 quadruples the risk of girls having sex young (stock)

TEENAGERS ARE LESS LIKELY TO BINGE DRINK IF THEIR PARENTS SHOW DISAPPROVAL

Teenagers are less likely to drink if their parents show disapproval, research revealed earlier this month.

Study author Ms Jacqueline Bowden from the University of Adelaide, said: ‘Parents have more influence on their teenagers’ decisions regarding alcohol than they probably realise.

‘Parental behaviour and attitudes towards alcohol really do make a difference and can help prevent children from drinking at an early age.’

Mr Lincoln Size, chief executive cancer council SA, who supported the study, added: ‘This latest evidence highlights the need to educate young people about the consequences of alcohol consumption and for parents to demonstrate responsible drinking behaviour.

‘We need to get the message through that what may be considered harmless fun actually has lifelong consequences.’

How the study was carried out

The researchers analyzed 4,079 male and 4,059 female participants of the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997.

The participants were aged between 12 and 16 on their first assessment, and were followed until they reached 25 to 31 years old.

They were asked about their first sexual experience and early alcohol use.

Drinking before 14 more than doubles the risk of early sex

Results reveal that drinking at a young age is associated with early sexual encounters.

Drinking before the age of 14 more than doubles the risk of either gender having sex young.

For girls who try alcohol before turning 13, the likelihood of having premature sex encounters quadruples.

The findings were published in the Journal of Adolescent Health.

‘Impairment from alcohol increases the likelihood of being victimized’

Dr Doran said: ‘Adolescents who engage in early sex have higher risks for sexually transmitted infections or unplanned pregnancies.

‘Although the US has seen a drop in pregnancy rates, we still have one of the highest in the western industrialized world. It’s a big issue, and it’s important to find the risk factors that lead to risky sex.

‘Impairment from alcohol increases the likelihood of being victimized or victimizing other people.’

Dr Arielle Deutsch, who researches adolescent sexual health at Sanford Research in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and was not involved in the study, added: ‘It’s about the relationship between two people and how individuals think about what they’re doing.

‘How do teens think about planning their first sexual experience?

‘We should be talking to teens about how to make good choices overall and have the experiences they want in life.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk