Popular Kids More Likely to Smoke
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: September 6, 2012
Being popular in high school isn't everything it's cracked up to be. A new study suggests popularity may lead to lung cancer, heart disease and emphysema.
Researchers looked at nearly 2,000 students and found kids considered popular are more likely to smoke. The study also showed students are more likely to smoke if their friends do.
Popular students became smokers earlier than the less popular. And students who became smokers between the ninth and 10th grade were more likely to form friendships with other smokers.
Results of the study are in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Researchers looked at nearly 2,000 students and found kids considered popular are more likely to smoke. The study also showed students are more likely to smoke if their friends do.
Popular students became smokers earlier than the less popular. And students who became smokers between the ninth and 10th grade were more likely to form friendships with other smokers.
Results of the study are in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.