From the ArcaMax Publishing, Health & Fitness Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/healthtips/s-344805-269825
BUFFALO, N.Y. (UPI) -- Gambling is widespread among U.S. adolescents
and young adults ages 14 through 21, a University at Buffalo Research
Institute on Addictions study reveals.
Principal investigator John W. Welte said the results of the first
national survey of its kind show problem gambling -- described as
gambling with three or more negative consequences, such as risking
more than intended or stealing money to gamble -- in the past year
occurred at a rate of 2.1 percent among youth 14 to 21, or about
750,000 young problem gamblers nationwide.
In addition, 11 percent of the 2,274 teens and young adults surveyed
in the random telephone survey gambled twice per week or more,
considered frequent gambling. Sixty-eight percent of the youth
interviewed reported that they had gambled at least once in the past
year.
"In a society where young people are increasingly exposed to gambling
influences, there is cause for concern," Welte said in a statement.
The researchers found gambling increased with each major life change
such as employment or marriage. Those who worked full-time were more
likely to gamble, those who were not students were more likely to
gamble frequently and those who lived independently were more likely
to gamble and to be problem gamblers.