Drink intake of children doubles in five years
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The amount of alcohol consumed every week by young people has almost doubled in five years and is leaving teenagers at risk of significant health problems in later life, experts said yesterday.
The average weekly alcohol consumption of 11- to 13-year-olds rose by nearly 100 per cent between 2001 and 2006, from 5.6 units to 10.1 units of alcohol, a survey by the British Liver Trust found. A unit is typically half a pint of beer, a small glass of wine or a measure of spirits.
One in five children aged 11 to 15 admitted to being drunk at least once during the four weeks of the study, while about a third of those said they had deliberately tried to get drunk.
Alison Rogers, the trust's chief executive, said: "The habit of heavy drinking is leading to a frighteningly short road to liver clinics and transplant units.
"Three children under 18 have been diagnosed with alcohol-related cirrhosis of the liver in the past six years. We desperately need to educate young people about the harm alcohol does."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments