Alcohol Consumption Patterns and Body Weight

Abstract

Background/Aims: The impact of alcohol on health depends on both the total amount ingested per week and the drinking pattern. Our goal was to assess the relationship between drinking occasions and anthropometric indicators of adiposity. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 7,855 men aged 50–59 years were recruited between 1991 and 1993 in France. Clinical and anthropometric data were obtained in a standardized clinical examination by trained staff. Alcohol intake was assessed by a questionnaire recording daily consumption of each type of alcohol during a typical week. Results: 75% of the participants drank alcohol daily (264.7 ml per week). For a given total alcohol intake and after adjustment of confounders, the number of drinking episodes was inversely correlated with body mass index (p < 0.0001) and waist circumference (p < 0.0001). The odds ratio (95% confidence interval) for obesity was 1.8 (1.3–2.4) for occasional (1–2 days/week) and 1.6 (1.2–2.1) for frequent drinkers (3–5 days/week) compared with daily drinkers. This correlation was less pronounced in moderate (<140 ml/week) than intermediate consumers (140–280 ml/week). In heavy consumers (>280 ml/week), the intake was almost always daily. The results were similar for wine and beer consumption. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that drinking occasion is a risk indicator of obesity independent of total alcohol intake.

Wine: An Aspiring Agent in Promoting Longevity and Preventing Chronic Diseases

“…However, middle aged participants of the of increased body weight and waist circumference for middle-aged adults of the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study were less likely to have greater waist circumference and body weight when drinking low to moderate amounts of alcohol, including wine [ 45 ]. Mean BMI was lower in people who drank alcohol and wine daily than those who consumed alcohol less frequently, while for a given alcohol intake, wine (and beer) intake was inversely associated with BMI and waist circumference [ 46 ].…”

Socio-demographic and behavioural determinants of body mass index among an adult population in rural Northern Ghana: the AWI-Gen study

“…The association between alcohol consumption and weight gain remains controversial. The energy derived from the high calorie content of alcohol suggests that excessive alcohol intake will lead to weight gain and a French study has reported this observation [60]. However, alcohol intake may not systematically increase BMI as this relationship is dependent on variations and patterns of alcohol intake, energy expenditure due to physical activity and general nutritional status.…”

Change in Alcohol Intake in Relation to Weight Change in a Cohort of US Men with 24 Years of Follow‐Up

“…( 5 , 10 , 11 , 16 , 17 ). However, all existing studies investigating alcohol subtype and weight gain are either cross-sectional( 10 , 14 ) retrospective( 10 , 11 ), prospective with only one alcohol measurement( 10 , 16 , 17 ), or from short RCTs 5 or in diabetic population only( 5 ).…”

“…A few studies suggested that moderate wine intake may be associated with weight maintenance, while liquor and beer intake may be associated with weight gain. ( 10 ) More recent studies continue to be largely inconclusive,( 11 − 17 ) although most showed no association( 16 ) or an inverse association( 14 , 15 , 17 ) between wine and body weight. However, there are major limitations to this body of evidence; most of the studies were cross-sectional or retrospective instead of prospective, most did not have information on alcohol subtype, and the few RCTs were too short (≤12 weeks) to assess meaningful weight change.…”