Binge drinking in Chinese, Korean, and White college students: Genetic and ethnic group differences.

Abstract

Studies of Asian college students have found that rates of binge drinking are associated with variation in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene. Chinese and Koreans have different prevalence rates of the ALDH2*2 allele, alcohol use, and alcoholism. The association of ALDH2 status and ethnic group with binge drinking was examined in 328 Chinese, Korean, and White college students. Ethnic group differences were found, with Whites having the highest rate of binge drinking, followed by Koreans and then Chinese. Among Asian participants, ALDH2 status and ethnicity related to binge drinking in an additive manner. Possessing an ALDH2*2 allele and being Chinese were protective factors, and being White and being Korean without an ALDH2*2 allele were risk factors for binge drinking. These results suggest that ALDH2 status, as well as other factors that differ in Koreans and Chinese, but do not interact with ALDH2, are associated with binge drinking among Asians.

Psychosocial, cultural and genetic influences on alcohol use in Asian American youth.

“…Familial studies of Asian populations in Hawaii (Johnson et al, 1987 have indicated that cultural factors are more strongly associated with drinking than self-reported alcohol-induced flushing, suggesting that genetic influences on alcohol use in these groups are negligible relative to sociocultural determinants . However, these studies assessed neither ALDH2 genotype nor relationships between physiological response to alcohol and heavy drinking behavior, which has been linked to ALDH2 status in several reports (Luczak et al, 2001;Takeshita and Morimoto, 1999;Wall et al, 2001). Studies examining both ALDH2 status and cultural variables (i.e., acculturation) in relation to heavy drinking could help to clarify the relative influence of physiological and sociocultural determinants of alcohol use.…”

“…Compared with individuals without an ALDH2*2 allele, those possessing one or two copies demonstrate stronger physiological reactions to alcohol ingestion (Peng et al, 1999;Wall et al, 1992Wall et al, , 1994Wall et al, , 1996. Accordingly, presence of an ALDH2*2 allele has been associated with decreased rates of alcohol use (Sun et al, 2002;Wall et al, 2001), heavy episodic (binge) drinking (Luczak et al, 2001;Takeshita and Morimoto, 1999;Wall et al, 2001) and alcohol dependence Luczak et al, 2004;Thomasson et al, 1991).…”

“…Recent support for interactive and mediating relationships among acculturation and psychosocial variables (Hahm et al, 2003(Hahm et al, , 2004 and the aggregate influence of genetic factors and ethnicity (Luczak et al, 2001) on drinking in Asian Americans underscore the importance of joint examination of these factors. An integrative model ( Figure 1) incorporating psychosocial, cultural and genetic factors served as the basis for the current study.…”

“…A recent report (Luczak et al, 2001) identified an additive effect of ALDH2 gene status and ethnicity (Chinese vs Korean) on heavy episodic (binge) drinking, highlighting the aggregate influence of biological and ethnic factors on alcohol consumption in Asian groups. Familial studies of Asian populations in Hawaii (Johnson et al, 1987 have indicated that cultural factors are more strongly associated with drinking than self-reported alcohol-induced flushing, suggesting that genetic influences on alcohol use in these groups are negligible relative to sociocultural determinants .…”

Comparison of heavy episodic drinking patterns between Korean and Chinese immigrants

“…Although Asian Americans typically report lower levels of alcohol consumption than Caucasians (Akutsu, Sue, Zane, & Nakamura, 1989;Luczak, Wall, Shea, Byun, & Carr, 2001;Sakai, Ho, Shore, Risk, & Price, 2005;Zane & Kim, 1994), HED still occurs (Iwamoto, Takamatsu, & Castellanos, 2012;Lee, Han, & Gfroerer, 2013). Asian Americans are typically viewed as the "model minority" and as such, drinking issues may be wrongfully ignored (Yun & Park, 2008).…”