[Alcohol consumption by middle-aged and elderly Danes from 1987 to 2003].
BACKGROUND
The trend in alcohol consumption by middle-aged and elderly Danes has received little attention, but earlier studies indicated increased consumption. Social factors may influence the trend. Our objective was to investigate the trend in alcohol consumption by the middle-aged and elderly and inquire about significant trends among specific social subgroups.


METHODS
In the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey carried out in 1987, 1994, 2000 and 2003, a total of 11,754 people aged 50 and older were asked about their alcohol consumption. The mean alcohol intake and the number of heavy drinkers were compared from year to year.


RESULTS
The mean intake per day increased from 1.5 drinks in 1987 to 2.1 drinks in 2003 for men and from 0.5 drink in 1987 to 1.0 drink in 2003 for women. The percentage of elderly drinking above the sensible drinking limits increased from 15.2% to 20.4% for men and from 10.7% to 13.6% for women. The strongest increasing trend in the number of heavy drinkers was in the lowest socio-economic groups and among those married or cohabiting.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased number of heavy drinkers among the middle-aged and elderly is of great importance to their general state of health. The increase has possibly been caused by a social and cultural development which has led to a generation of elderly who used to drink alcohol earlier in their lives and continue drinking in old age. More focus on alcohol consumption among the middle-aged and elderly in health policy initiatives is needed.
Bjørk
Christina
C
Statens Institut for Folkesundhed, Center for Alkoholforskning, København K.
Vinther-Larsen
Mathilde
M
Thygesen
Lau Caspar
LC
Johansen
Ditte
D
Grønbaek
Morten N
MN
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000639:trends; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires