Teenage girls who harbour negative body-image are more likely to drink alcohol: Study

According to a new research teenage girls who harbor negative body image are more likely to drink alcohol. Negative self-image may vary from trying to lose weight, maintain or gain weight when there is no medical need to do so.

The research suggests that such girls are more likely to drink alcohol. The study published in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs found that girls in the age group of 14 and 18 who experience "body image and behavioural misperception" (BIBM) were 1.29 times more likely to drink alcohol than those who don't experience BIBM.

One of the senior author Margie Skeer, Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, in Massachusetts, US asserted, “Negative self-image can lead to negative behaviours. Body image and behavioural misperception occurs when actions are taken based on a perceived weight status or body image.”

A significant relationship was found between the girls holding misperception and reports that they ever have had alcohol.

For the study, researchers analyzed data from the 2013 National Youth Risk Behaviour Surveillance System, a national, school-based survey conducted by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Study got responses from 6,579 female students between ages 14 to 18 and above. But what needs to be focused here is the health aspect. Coping mechanisms or escapism should not come at the cost of compromising health.