In a recent study of heavy drinking among college students in 21 countries, published in the Journal of American College Health, researchers found that the highest rates of heavy drinking (defined as 5 or more drinks for men and 4 or more drinks for women on at least 1 occasion over the past 2 weeks) were reported in Belgium, Colombia, Ireland, and Poland for men; and Ireland and England for women.

The study, which was reported in the Irish Examiner, surveyed 7,846 male and 9,892 female students aged 17 to 30 years.

The study found that 57 percent of Irish female students were heavy drinkers, followed by women in the Netherlands at 34 percent. The study also found that 95 percent of male students and 93 percent of female students drank alcohol and that half of the male students had drunk heavily over a previous two-week period.

Researchers also noted that heavy drinking was more common among more affluent college students and those who live away from home.

For example, students with a bigger disposable income were 44 percent more likely to drink heavily than those from poorer backgrounds.

For more information on the study, visit the Higher Education Center's THIS WEEK feature at http://higheredcenter.org