Relationship of abdominal obesity with alcohol consumption at population scale.
BACKGROUND
The high energy content of alcohol makes its consumption a potential contributor to the obesity epidemic.


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether alcohol consumption is a risk factor for abdominal obesity, taking into account energy underreporting.


METHODS
The subjects were Spanish men (n = 1491) and women (n = 1563) aged 25-74 years who were examined in 1999-2000, in a population-based cross-sectional survey in northeastern Spain (Girona). Dietary intake, including alcohol consumption, was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables were measured.


RESULTS
The mean consumption of alcohol was 18.1 +/- 20.7 g/d in men and 5.3 +/- 10.4 g/d in women. 19.3% of men and 2.3% of women reported alcohol consumption of more than 3 drinks per day. The consumption of alcohol was directly associated with total energy intake in men (P < 0.001) and women (P = 0.001). The proportion of energy underreporting significantly (P < 0.001) decreased with higher amounts of alcohol drinking in both genders. Multiple logistic regression analysis, controlled for energy underreporting, smoking, educational level, leisure-time physical activity, energy, and diet quality, revealed that consuming more than 3 drinks of alcohol (>30 g ethanol) was significantly associated with the risk of abdominal obesity (Odds ratio 1.80; 1.05, 3.09) and exceeding recommended energy consumption (Odds ratio 1.97; 1.32, 2.93) in men. A very small number (2.13%) of women in this population reported high levels of alcohol consumption.


CONCLUSIONS
Alcohol consumption in elevated amounts was associated with risk of abdominal obesity in men, independent of energy underreporting.
Schröder
Helmut
H
Lipids and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica, IMIM, Hospital de Mar, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona, c/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain. hschroeder@imim.es
Morales-Molina
Jose Antonio
JA
Bermejo
Silvia
S
Barral
Diego
D
Mándoli
Eduardo Soler
ES
Grau
María
M
Guxens
Monica
M
de Jaime Gil
Elisabet
E
Alvarez
Marisol Domínguez
MD
Marrugat
Jaume
J
D050153:Abdominal Fat / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000886:Anthropometry; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012907:Smoking; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires