Rendimiento académico y consumo excesivo episódico de alcohol en universitarios colombianos de Educación Física, deporte y recreación

Introduction: Academic performance is the result of biological, psychological, and sociological factors. Harmful consumption of alcohol is a behavioral risk factor associated with noncommunicable diseases. Objective: To analyze the association between academic performance, alcohol consumption and tobacco use among Colombian college students of physical education. Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study carried out on 722 Colombian college students of six different universities. Academic performance was obtained through the accumulated grades average. The questionnaire for the surveillance of risk factors for non-communicable diseases of the World Health Organization was implemented to collect information related to alcohol consumption and tobacco use. The analysis of associated factors to academic performance was realized through a quantile regression model. Results: A prevalence superior to 30% was found in both tobacco use and binge drinking. The tobacco use prevalence was statistically higher in men (p = 0,004). The results of the model evidenced a significant association between binge drinking and academic performance. Discussion: The association between academic performance and binge drinking found in this study is similar to the results registered in studies conducted in México, Spain, Australia, The United States and Ethiopia. Conclusions: A third of participants in this study reported tobacco use and binge drinking. The prevalences of these harmful conducts were higher in men. Students who reported binge drinking registered a lower academic performance.