Alcohol consumption among school adolescents in Palma de Mallorca

To describe alcohol consumption of adolescent boys and girls in Palma de Mallorca, and its relationship with physical activity and socio-demographic factors.

Four hundred and forty five adolescents (171 boys, 274 girls; 14-18 years old) selected from the school census (participation 96%), using two-stage probability sampling were studied. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was administered and alcohol intake was analysed. Physical activity was computed as a ratio of energy expended in basal metabolic rate. Socio-demographic data were collected, and categorized as gender, mother's level of education, parental occupational status, and mother's region of origin.

About 60% of adolescents, 53% of boys and 65% of girls, reported alcohol consumption, which increased with age in boys (91% when they were 18 years old), but remained constant in girls. The adolescents consumed alcohol mainly on weekends; average consumption was four drinks per drinking day, and the most consumed drinks were mild distilled spirits. The mother's educational level and adolescents' physical activity were negatively and significantly related to alcohol consumption, whereas the adolescents from occupational upper-class parents and non Majorcan/Balearic mothers were positively and significantly related to alcohol consumption.

The increased penetration of alcohol into the adolescents' environment may result in misuse of consumption. To give more information to parents and adolescents on considering alcohol to be a drug, and to promote physical activity among adolescents may be contributing factors towards decreased alcohol consumption among the latter age group.