Adolescents from rural areas in the US are at a higher risk of obesity at lower alcohol consumption levels compared to their urban counterparts, highlighting a significant locality disparity.
By Dr. Sushama R. Chaphalkar, PhD.Reviewed by Susha Cheriyedath, M.Sc.Jul 1 2024 In a recent study published in the journal PLOS ONE, researchers in the United States of America investigated the relationship between alcohol use and obesity among US adolescents aged 12–17 years from rural and urban areas. They found that adolescents from rural areas had a higher risk of being obese at lower levels of alcohol consumption as compared to those from urban areas.
Background Obesity affects 17% of adolescents aged 12–19 years globally. Alcohol use, common among this age group, may potentially exacerbate obesity. About one in seven US adolescents has tried alcohol, with heavy drinkers more likely to be obese in young adulthood. Although previous studies have explored alcohol and obesity, only a few have examined the differences between urban and rural populations of adolescents.
About the study Data were collected annually from 2015 to 2019 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. The survey collects information on tobacco, alcohol, and drug use, substance use-related problems, psychological issues, and treatment service utilization. A total of 39,489 adolescents of age 12–17 years were included. Locality was categorized as urban or rural , and alcohol use was measured by the number of days of alcohol consumption in one year.
Related StoriesSeveral factors were found to be associated with higher odds of adolescent obesity: older age, belonging to Black, Hispanic, or other race groups, lower income levels, and having smoked cigarettes. Conversely, females and Asians showed lower odds of obesity. Adolescents from rural areas had a 1.35 times greater risk of obesity compared to those from urban areas.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Which adolescents are at risk of depression following early social media use?A new study that looked for relationships between early social media use and depression across adolescence and into young adulthood found that certain factors may make social media more risky or protective regarding depression.
Read more »
Social media use does not impact all adolescents in the same way, study suggestsA new study that looked for relationships between early social media use and depression across adolescence and into young adulthood found that certain factors may make social media more risky or protective regarding depression.
Read more »
Depression in adolescents linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseaseDepression affects about 8% of adolescents worldwide and is a known risk factor for premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) in adulthood.
Read more »
Good communication between fathers and adolescents influences physical activity levelsA doctoral dissertation from the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, found that having difficulties in talking with one's father predicted a decrease in physical activity and the maintenance of low physical activity between adolescence and young adulthood.
Read more »
Early life stress can lead to substance use in male and female adolescentsStress during childhood is associated with earlier substance use in male and female adolescents, according to a study presented Saturday at ENDO 2024, the Endocrine Society's annual meeting in Boston, Mass.
Read more »
Nicotine marketing still targets adolescents just as it did decades ago, says researcherAbout 37 million children ages 13 to 15 around the world use tobacco, according to a 2024 report from the World Health Organization.
Read more »