The Relationship among Pubertal Stage, Age, and Drinking in Adolescent Boys and Girls

This study used data from the Third National Household and Nutrition Examination Survey ( NHANES) to examine the association between pubertal status ( Tanner staging for boys and girls and menarche for girls) and alcohol use in a nationally representative sample of youths ages 12 to 17. Logistic regression was used to model the relationship. In general, more advanced pubertal stage was associated with a greater likelihood of having had at least 12 drinks in one's life. In particular, among 12- to 13-year-old boys and girls, higher Tanner scores were associated with increased risk for having already had at least 12 drinks in one's life. Thus, early puberty is associated with having initiated drinking at a young age and therefore may be a marker to help identify a group of youths with whom intervening early regarding alcohol use may be particularly useful.