When people drink, alcohol spreads into the water in their bodies. An enzyme that is important in metabolizing or processing alcohol works differently in females than in males. In males, the enzyme called alcohol dehydrogenase breaks down much of the alcohol in the stomach so that less of it enters the circulatory system. In females, the enzyme is less active. 21 Changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle may affect the rate of alcohol metabolism in females.
Research shows that girls attitudes begin to change around that age.
They become less confident and less physically active, their school performance suffers, and they neglect their own interests and aspirations. All of these things make them more susceptible to negative influences and risky behaviors, such as drinking alcohol. Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes have helped to publicize the campaign. Among Boys fact sheet. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1996.