Cardiovascular risk factors in adolescents with alcohol use disorders

Among adults, chronic alcohol dependence is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). While it is unlikely that adolescents with alcohol use disorders (AUDs) would exhibit CVD, they might show elevated CVD risk factors. The purpose of this study was to compare CVD risk factors in adolescents with AUDs and an adolescent reference group. Adolescents with AUDs were recruited from treatment sources and reference adolescents were recruited from the community. Information about smoking behavior, exercise, and diet were gathered from interview and self-report measures. Body mass index and blood pressure were determined by physical exam and a blood sample was drawn to measure serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Compared with the reference group, adolescents with AUDs reported significantly more smoking, were less likely to report exercising regularly, and were less likely to report eating a balanced diet. Adolescents with AUDs were not more likely to be overweight or to exhibit hypertension, and lipid levels were also not significantly elevated. These results indicated that adolescents with AUDs endorsed problematic health behaviors while not yet exhibiting the consequences of these behaviors. Interventions focusing on health behaviors in conjunction with addiction treatment might help improve long-term health outcomes in adolescents with AUDs.