メディエイゴ

At least 82 youth have died as a result of playing what has been called “the choking game(1),” according to(2) a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(3) in today′s Morbidity(4) and Mortality(5) Weekly Report. The choking game involves(6) intentionally(7) trying to choke(8) oneself or another in an effort to(9) obtain(10) a brief(11) euphoric state(12) or “high(13).” Death or serious injury can result if strangulation(14) is prolonged(15).

Eighty–seven percent of these deaths were among males, and most fatalities(16) occurred among those 11 years to 16 years old; the average age was 13, the report said. Choking game deaths were identified(17) in 31 states, it said.

CDC found that most of the deaths occurred when a child engaged in(18) the choking game alone, and that most parents were unaware of(19) the choking game prior to(20) their child′s death.

“Because most parents in the study had not heard of the choking game, we hope to raise awareness of(21) the choking game among parents, health care providers(22), and educators(23), so they can recognize warning signs(24) of the activity,” said Robin L. Toblin, Ph.D.(25), M.P.H.(26), the study′s lead author(27). “This is especially important because children themselves may not appreciate(28) the dangers of this activity.”

Three or fewer choking game–related(29) deaths per year were reported in the news media(30) from 1995 to 2004, the report said. However, 22 deaths occurred in 2005, and 35 in 2006. Nine deaths occurred in the first 10 months of 2007; the explanation for this decrease is unclear. The researchers(31) said the study probably underestimates(32) the number of deaths.