Excess of weight and consumption of alcohol in binge: a study with adolescents

Objective: To analyze the association of alcohol consumption in binge and overweight in adolescents. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical, school-based study from a larger project. It was carried out in six high schools of the state network, in March 2018. The sample was composed of adolescents of both sexes, from 14 to 19 years of age. The alcohol consumption in binge was evaluated by the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, besides the measurement of the weight and height to evaluate the Body Mass Index and the Perimeter of Waist, to ascertain the Waist Circumference and Waist and Stature Ratio. To compare the percentage of the levels of the variables evaluated, the chi-square test was applied with a significance level of 5%. Results: As for alcohol consumption in binge drinking, 32% of adolescents practiced this pattern of ingestion. Overweight was more prevalent when measured by Waist Circumference (16.2%), followed by Body Mass Index (13.6%) and Waist Stature Relationship (11.6%). The consumption of alcohol in binge was associated with excess weight when it was evaluated by the Waist Stature Ratio (p<0.01). Conclusion: There was a positive association between alcohol consumption in binge and abdominal excess weight when evaluated by Waist Stature Ratio. This association was not found for Waist Circumference and Body Mass Index.