Estimating alcohol content of drinks: common errors in applying the unit system.

Stockwell, Timothy; Stirling, Leia

doi:10.1136/bmj.298.6673.571-a

Cited by 32 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(1 reference statement)

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“…The quantity measure of consumption question format was both beverage-specific and drink container-specific, with respondents being asked about bottles as well as glasses of alcohol consumed where possible, to give greater accuracy of estimated amount of alcohol consumed (Lemmens, 1994). Responses were converted to standard units of alcohol using Health Education Authority measures based on one unit of alcohol equalling approximately eight grammes of absolute alcohol (Stockwell and Stirling, 1989) and the total was rounded to the nearest whole unit. The format of this question was modified after Stage One thus improving the valid response rate from 62 per cent to 95 per cent in Stage Two.…”

Section: (H) Qucititity Ofalcolzo1 Consumedmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ‘Big Bang’ Approach to Sessional Drinking: Changing Patterns of Alcohol Consumption Amongst Young People in North West England

Measham

1996

Addiction Research

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The results of the second stage of an ongoing longitudinal survey of alcohol consumption amongst over 750 young people in the North West of England are reported. This paper dicusses three alcohol consumption variables in the first stage and four consumption variables in the second stage based on typical frequency of consumption, recent frequency of consumption, quantity consumed in last seven days and quantity consumed on last occasion. When the latter variable is used, in which quantity is isolated from frequency, the data from this study suggest changes are underway in relation to quantity of alcohol consumed, with increased heavy sessional drinking and changes in types of alcoholic drink preferred. At the age of 14 one in four drinkers reported consuming over ten units of alcohol on their last drinking occasion. At the age of 15 one in three drinkers reported drinking over ten units. The most popular alcoholic drinks with this age group were bottled strong cider and lager. The paper concludes by suggesting that the young people in this survey are consuming alcohol for a 'big hang', for maximum impact, in ways which show similarities with their consumption of illicit drugs, as part of a consumer leisure culture where 'time out' is purchased using a widening repertoire of psychoactive substances.

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Section: (H) Qucititity Ofalcolzo1 Consumedmentioning

confidence: 99%

The ‘Big Bang’ Approach to Sessional Drinking: Changing Patterns of Alcohol Consumption Amongst Young People in North West England

Measham

1996

Addiction Research

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“…Although correction efforts have been suggested,5 6 an important unaccounted source of biasin self reported consumption of spirits may have to do with the shape of the glass into which a drink is poured.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Shape of glass and amount of alcohol poured: comparative study of effect of practice and concentration

Wansink

Ittersum²

2005

BMJ

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Objective To determine whether people pour different amounts into short, wide glasses than into tall, slender ones. Design College students practised pouring alcohol into a standard glass before pouring into larger glasses; bartenders poured alcohol for four mixed drinks either with no instructions or after being told to take their time. Setting University town and large city, United States. Participants 198 college students and 86 bartenders. Main outcome measures Volume of alcohol poured into short, wide and tall, slender glasses. Results Aiming to pour a "shot" of alcohol (1.5 ounces, 44.3 ml), both students and bartenders poured more into short, wide glasses than into tall slender glasses (46.1 ml v 44.7 ml and 54.6 ml v 46.4 ml, respectively). Practice reduced the tendency to overpour, but not for short, wide glasses. Despite an average of six years of experience, bartenders poured 20.5% more into short, wide glasses than tall, slender ones; paying careful attention reduced but did not eliminate the effect. Conclusions To avoid overpouring, use tall, narrow glasses or ones on which the alcohol level is premarked. To avoid underestimating the amount of alcohol consumed, studies using self reports of standard drinks should ask about the shape of the glass.

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“…The biggest problem with the % ABV measure is that it does not take into account the volume of the drink: although the total amount of alcohol in a drink can be calculated by knowing the drink volume and its % ABV, it is not an easy calculation for most people (Ferner & Chambers, 2001;Kerr & Stockwell, 2012). Indeed, evidence shows that people are poor at estimating the alcohol content of a drink even when they know its % ABV and its volume (Higgs, Stafford, Attwood, Walker, & Terry, 2008;Stockwell, 1993;Stockwell & Stirling, 1989;Webster-Harrison Barton, Sanders, Anderson, & Dobbs, 2002). Participants were particularly inaccurate when estimating the alcohol contents of drinks with high or low % ABV values (Stockwell & Stirling, 1989).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, evidence shows that people are poor at estimating the alcohol content of a drink even when they know its % ABV and its volume (Higgs, Stafford, Attwood, Walker, & Terry, 2008;Stockwell, 1993;Stockwell & Stirling, 1989;Webster-Harrison Barton, Sanders, Anderson, & Dobbs, 2002). Participants were particularly inaccurate when estimating the alcohol contents of drinks with high or low % ABV values (Stockwell & Stirling, 1989). Additionally, Sastre, Mullet, & Sorum (2000) found that, even for equivalent drink volumes, participants incorrectly made a much bigger distinction between the intoxicating effects of beer (4.5% ABV) versus water (0% ABV) than between the effects of beer and wine (12% ABV) or between wine and port (20% ABV).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimates of the Absolute and Relative Strengths of Diverse Alcoholic Drinks by Young People

Walker

Higgs

Terry

2016

Substance Use & Misuse

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Estimating alcohol content of drinks: common errors in applying the unit system.

Cited by 32 publications

References 5 publications

The ‘Big Bang’ Approach to Sessional Drinking: Changing Patterns of Alcohol Consumption Amongst Young People in North West England

The ‘Big Bang’ Approach to Sessional Drinking: Changing Patterns of Alcohol Consumption Amongst Young People in North West England

Shape of glass and amount of alcohol poured: comparative study of effect of practice and concentration

Estimates of the Absolute and Relative Strengths of Diverse Alcoholic Drinks by Young People

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