If you have a child in college, you may already have had "The Conversation" about binge drinking. But if that child is a daughter, now might be the time for another talk.
Excessive alcohol use is bad for everyone, but a new report from the Centers for Disease Control finds that the number of young women who binge drink has reached alarmingly high levels.
According to the report, about 1 in 8 adult women and 1 in 5 high school girls binge drink. It's most common in high school girls and young women, whites, and Hispanics. Having a household income of $75,000 or more also increases the chances of being a binge drinker.
But while both men and women binge drink, the practice can be more dangerous for women because their bodies process alcohol differently than men's. That's why binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks for women but five or more drinks for men within a three-hour period, according to the CDC.
The consequences of binge drinking for young women are immediate – an increased risk of sexual violence – and long-term. Women who repeatedly binge drink may be at higher risk of breast cancer.
Looking for a way to start the conversation with your daughter? The CDC has lots of helpful information on this topic.