title: Relationship of abdominal obesity with alcohol consumption at population scale.
abstract: 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.
authors: 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
authors: Helmut
authors: H
authors: Schröder
authors: Jose Antonio
authors: JA
authors: Morales-Molina
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Bermejo
authors: Diego
authors: D
authors: Barral
authors: Eduardo Soler
authors: ES
authors: Mándoli
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Grau
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Guxens
authors: Elisabet
authors: E
authors: de Jaime Gil
authors: Marisol Domínguez
authors: MD
authors: Alvarez
authors: Jaume
authors: J
authors: Marrugat
mesh_terms: 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