Aim: To study whether perceived pubertal timing is related to the prevalence of alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking among adolescent boys and girls.
Methods: The Young-HUNT study (95-97), conducted in Nord-Trøndelag County in Norway, comprises information from 8950 students, aged 13-19 years. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) related to alcohol drinking and cigarette smoking were estimated by logistic regression analyses.
Results: Boys and girls who perceived themselves as early matured were more likely to report more risky drinking than those who perceived themselves as being on time, both in middle school and high school. A nearly identical pattern was found for smoking. However, boys in middle school, who perceived themselves as late, were more likely to smoke than those who were on time.
Conclusion: In both genders, perceived early maturation was associated with increased risk behaviour involvement. Perceptions of being early in combination with high pubertal status yielded the highest prevalence of alcohol and tobacco use.