A new study finds that high-school students who drink tend to drink heavily, and that young drinkers are more likely to be involved in other risky behaviors, as well, All Headlines News reported Jan. 3.

The study by researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 45 percent of high-school students say they drink, and of these, 64 percent said that they are binge drinkers, consuming five or more alcoholic drinks at a sitting. Young drinkers also were more likely to engage in sexual behavior, smoke, and get involved in fights.

Binge drinkers were especially at risk of these behaviors. "Our study clearly shows that it's not just that students drink alcohol, but how much they drink that most strongly affects whether they experience other health and social problems," said researcher Jacqueline Miller, M.D.

The study appears in the January 2007 issue of the journal Pediatrics.