Study Says Teenagers Most Likely to Indulge in Risky Behaviors

A study from the University College London (UCL) has found that teenagers are more likely to indulge in risky behaviors like binge drinking and drug abuse. The study said that these risks included unsafe sex and were undertaken as teens were programmed to take these risks.

The study involved 86 participants, aged nine to 35, who were asked to make certain decisions while playing computer games. The emotional response of the participants was measured after each game to assess their satisfaction or otherwise with their decisions.

The study found that teens were the ones who enjoyed risk taking.

"The onset of adolescence marks an explosion in 'risky' activities -- from dangerous driving, unsafe sex and experimentation with alcohol, to poor dietary habits and physical inactivity," said Dr Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a neuroscientist University College London (UCL) and the co-author of the study. "This contributes to the so-called 'health paradox' of adolescence, whereby a peak in lifetime physical health is paradoxically accompanied by high mortality and morbidity."

The details are published in the journal Cognitive Development.


Source-Medindia
RAS