Participation in sports and alcohol consumption among French adolescents.

Using an anonymous self-report questionnaire (N=816 participants), we examined the relation between participation in sports and alcohol consumption and identified the risk factors associated with alcohol consumption among French high-school students. Univariate analysis showed that sport involvement was related to higher alcohol use (P<.05). Participants who participated in group sports drank significantly more than those who participated as individuals (P<.01). Multivariate analysis underlined factors associated with alcohol consumption, but these varied considerably according to the level of alcohol consumption. Three factors were associated with weekly and daily alcohol use: male gender, daily cigarette use, and perception of poor health.