@article {Jefferis506, author = {B J M H Jefferis and O Manor and C Power}, title = {Cognitive development in childhood and drinking behaviour over two decades in adulthood}, volume = {62}, number = {6}, pages = {506--512}, year = {2008}, doi = {10.1136/jech.2007.059840}, publisher = {BMJ Publishing Group Ltd}, abstract = {Background/aims: Childhood cognition predicts adult morbidity and mortality, potentially working through health behaviours. This study investigates if childhood cognition influences life course (i) non-drinking and (ii) binge drinking and pathways through which this might act{\textemdash}namely, childhood behaviour problems, adult social position and educational qualifications.Methods: Prospective cohort of British births in March 1958, with information on cognition at 7, 11 and 16 years and alcohol use at 23, 33 and 42 years. Non-drinkers drank {\textquotedblleft}infrequently/on special occasions{\textquotedblright} or {\textquotedblleft}never{\textquotedblright}. Binge drinkers consumed ⩾10 units/occasion (men) and ⩾7 units/occasion (women).Results: Lower cognitive ability increased the odds of non-drinking at each adult survey (for example, for men at 42 years OR 1.52 (95\% CI 1.34 to 1.72) per SD decrease in 7-year maths). Associations remained after adjustment for pathway factors (i) behaviour problems, (ii) adult social position and (iii) educational qualifications. Decreased ability rank across childhood (7{\textendash}16 years) also increased odds of non-drinking at 42 years, but the association operated via pathway factors. Lower 7-year ability elevated the odds of 42-year binge drinking, operating via pathway factors. Declining ability rank across childhood also increased the odds of adult binge drinking; associations operated through behavioural problems, adult social position and qualifications. In women, the decline in risk of binge drinking from an age 23-year peak to 42 years was associated with higher 7-year score.Conclusions: Poorer childhood cognition was associated with non-drinking and binge drinking up to the early 40s. Associations between childhood cognition and drinking status may mediate between childhood cognition and adult health.}, issn = {0143-005X}, URL = {https://jech.bmj.com/content/62/6/506}, eprint = {https://jech.bmj.com/content/62/6/506.full.pdf}, journal = {Journal of Epidemiology \& Community Health} }