Lifestyle Factors and Current Alcohol Consumption Among Japanese Adolescents During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Cross‐Sectional Study

TL;DR

A study of 15,549 Japanese adolescents found that irregular sleep and eating habits, and more screen time, were linked to recent alcohol use during the pandemic.

Contribution

This study identifies lifestyle factors associated with alcohol use among Japanese adolescents during the pandemic using a large nationwide survey.

Findings

Irregular sleep patterns were linked to a 51% higher chance of recent alcohol consumption.

Irregular eating habits were associated with a 68% higher chance of recent alcohol use.

Increased screen time was linked to a 29% higher chance of recent alcohol use, especially in boys.

Abstract

The COVID‐19 pandemic may have influenced drinking behaviors in minors by disrupting daily routines and increasing psychosocial stress, although alcohol use among Japanese adolescents has declined in recent years. We aimed to clarify the relationships between current alcohol consumption and lifestyle factors during the COVID‐19 pandemic based on a nationwide cross‐sectional survey.

This cross‐sectional study analyzed data from the 2021 Lifestyle Survey of Adolescents, a nationwide survey conducted in Japan during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A total of 15 549 junior and senior high school students (7645 boys and 7904 girls) were included. Current alcohol consumption was defined as drinking on at least 1 day in the past 30 days. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between current alcohol consumption and lifestyle factors, including irregular sleep patterns, irregular dietary habits, and increased screen time. Sex‐stratified analyses and interaction tests were also performed.

The overall prevalence of current alcohol consumption was 2.1%, with slightly higher rates among boys (2.2%) than girls (2.0%). Current alcohol consumption was significantly associated with irregular sleep patterns (odds ratio [OR] = 1.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.95) and irregular dietary habits (OR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.18–2.40). An association with increased screen time was also observed (OR = 1.29; 95% CI, 1.00–1.69), particularly among boys. A significant interaction by sex was detected for irregular sleep patterns (p for interaction = 0.013).

Alcohol consumption among Japanese adolescents was associated with irregular sleep and dietary habits and, among boys, with increased screen time. These findings highlight the importance of promoting regular routines and addressing lifestyle‐related risks to prevent current alcohol consumption among adolescents during public health crises.

Nationwide survey of Japanese adolescents during the COVID‐19 pandemic (n = 15 549) showed associations of current alcohol consumption with irregular sleep patterns (OR 1.51), irregular dietary habits (OR 1.68), and increased screen time (OR 1.29). The association with irregular sleep patterns was stronger in girls (OR 1.84; p for interaction = 0.013).

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