Binge drinking among women and girls is a health problem that is
serious but under-recognized, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention says in a report out today. About 1 in 8 women
and 1 in 5 high school girls binge drink, according to the CDC's
Vital Signs report. Binge drinking for women is defined as
consuming four or more alcohol drinks, such as beer, liquor or
wine, on an occasion. study found that binge drinking was most
common among women ages 18-34 and high school girls. It also was
most prevalent among women living in households with annual
incomes of $75,000 or higher. notes special concerns about binge
drinking among females. Women and girls metabolize, or process,
alcohol differently from men and boys. CDC warns binge drinking
puts women at a higher risk for breast cancer, sexually
transmitted diseases, heart disease and unintended pregnancy.
Binge drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol
spectrum disorders and sudden infant death syndrome. director of
the Center on Alcohol Mark