Is an increased waist : hip ratio the cause of alcohol-induced hypertension? The AIR94 study.
OBJECTIVE
The mechanisms of alcohol-associated hypertension are not known. We tested the hypothesis that the alcohol-associated increase in blood pressure may be caused in part by an alcohol-induced accumulation of abdominal fat.


METHODS
A total of 842 non-smoking men (mean +/- SD age 52 +/- 16 years) attending the air-show AIR94 in Bouchs, Switzerland, volunteered to participate in a cross-sectional study. Four alcohol consumption frequency categories were self-reported, together with weight changes since the age of 20 and during the last 2 years. Blood pressure, body weight, height and the waist : hip ratio were measured.


RESULTS
The results showed that 83% of the subjects were alcohol-consumers. Systolic (analysis of variance, P = 0.002) and diastolic (P = 0.009) blood pressure and the waist : hip ratio (P>0.0001) increased with increasing alcohol consumption. The self-judged dietary fat intake increased significantly with increasing alcohol consumption. Weight changes over time were positively associated with alcohol consumption. In a regression model alcohol consumption was the fourth most important contributor to systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as to an increased abdominal fat mass.


CONCLUSIONS
The alcohol-associated increase in blood pressure may be caused in part by an alcohol-induced accumulation of abdominal fat. Alcohol consumption favours the development of a positive energy balance and thus the abdominal deposition of fat, which is associated with an increased blood pressure. To reduce the risk of a positive energy balance and the abdominal deposition of fat, the intake of alcohol should be minimized and physical activity increased whenever possible.
Suter
P M
PM
Department of Internal Medicine, Medical Policlinic, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland.
Maire
R
R
Vetter
W
W
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001824:Body Constitution / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires