such as children of alcoholics were excluded. Relevant alcohol related outcomes were defined as: measures of consumption, including measures of the frequency and quantity of alcohol use; Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or International Classification of Diseases defined alcohol dependence or non-dependence alcohol problems14 15; or other measures of harmful alcohol use, such as getting into fights while under the influence of alcohol. Studies were eligible for inclusion only if they reported the magnitude of an association between age of first drink and any of these alcohol related outcomes, for example, in the form of an OR or regression coefficient. Only peer reviewed studies were included. No language or date restrictions were applied.
