Chicago – The American Medical Association is warning girls not to go wild during spring break.
All but confirming what goes on in those “Girls Gone Wild” videos, 83 percent of college women and graduates surveyed by the AMA said spring break involves heavier-than- usual drinking, and 74 percent said the trips result in increased sexual activity.
Sizable numbers reported getting sick from drinking, and blacking out and engaging in unprotected sex or sex with more than one partner, activities that increase their risks for sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
The AMA is trying to call attention to underage drinking among women because their bodies process alcohol differently, which puts them at greater risk for health problems, Dr. J. Edward Hill, the AMA’s president, said Tuesday.
The AMA-commissioned online survey queried a nationwide random sample of 644 college women or graduates ages 17 to 35 last week.
Kathleen Fitzgerald, a 21- year-old junior at Illinois State University, said the AMA’s effort to raise awareness is a good idea but probably won’t do much to curb drinking during spring break.
“I think a lot of students wouldn’t really pay that much attention to it,” Fitzgerald said. “They would just be like, ‘Duh, that’s why we do it.”‘
About 30 percent of women surveyed said spring-break trips with sun and alcohol are an essential part of college life.
Also, 74 percent said women use spring-break drinking as an excuse for “outrageous” behavior.
Of the 27 percent who said they had attended a college spring-break trip:
More than half said they regretted getting sick from drinking on the trip.
About 40 percent said they regretted passing out or not remembering what they did.
Thirteen percent said they had sexual activity with more than one partner.
Ten percent said they regretted engaging in public or group sexual activity.
