Binge drinking health risks increase in women and girls

Binge drinking is becoming a bigger health problem for women and girls.

In a report released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in eight women and one in five high school girls binge drink. Binge drinking for women is defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks on an occasion.

“Binge drinking is a public health challenge,” said Molly O’Neill, of First Call Alcohol Prevention and Recovery. “It’s really something that is becoming more and more prevalent on college campuses. And we need to address it because the acceptability of it – we need to turn that on its head.”

The dietary guidelines for Americans define moderate alcohol consumption as up to one drink a day for women, and up to two drinks a day for men.