OCU Food News

Sobering statistics on college drinking April 22, 2010

If there are a few types of food you can be sure to expect in college, here they are: chips, pizza and alcohol.

None of these things are particularly healthy, but they’re engrained into college culture anyway. Consuming these foods and drinks is fine in most situations, even the ever-imfamous alcohol. Most people frown on college students drinking alcohol. but I think it’s fine as long as it’s legal, doesn’t go against you or your family have for you, and done in moderation.

But the fact of the matter is that moderation seems to be a hard concept for students to grab.

About.com’s Young Adults Guide reported that 73% of college students drink at least occasionally. This number was taken from a survey done over 30,000 undergrads on 53 U.S. campuses in 2005.

If you’re anything like me you’re thinking “what’s the big deal with an occasional drink.” My answer: nothing. But this survey showed that binge drinking is all too common among drinkers.

The survey found that the average male freshman drinks over seven drinks per week. The average female drinks over three.

These students have also let their drinking get in the way of making good choices. 31% of students surveyed said they have missed class due to drinking. And over 70% said they have had unplanned sex while under the influence, sex they wouldn’t choose to have sober.

This doesn’t mean that all students should never drink. It just means that being in college doesn’t justify developing an ugly habit that could follow you through life.

Statistics don’t lie.