Age-Period-Cohort Analysis of Binge Drinking Trends Among Korean Adolescents: 2010-2023

This study aimed to examine the levels and trends of binge drinking among Korean adolescents using age-period-cohort (APC) analysis. Data from 890,308 adolescents (455,343 males and 434,965 females) were analyzed using the 2010–2023 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS). Binge drinking was defined based on adolescents’ sex and age. The intrinsic estimator method was used to evaluate age, period, and cohort effects on binge drinking rates. Binge drinking rates increased with age, peaking in the 16–17 age group, with a more pronounced age effect among girls. Period effects showed an increasing trend from 2010 to 2023, with notable kinking during 2020–2021, possibly due to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Cohort effects revealed decreasing binge drinking rates in recent birth cohorts. The study revealed complex interactions among age, period, and cohort effects on adolescent binge drinking in Korea. While recent cohorts showed declining binge drinking rates, the increasing period effect raises concerns about the potential limitations of current prevention efforts. The more pronounced age effect in females highlights the need for targeted interventions for older adolescent girls. The cohort effect suggests favorable generational changes in adolescent alcohol consumption behaviors.