Moderate alcohol consumption contributes to women's well-being through the menopausal transition.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the association of alcohol consumption with well-being in mid-aged Australian women, taking into account other lifestyle factors.


METHODS
A prospective, observational study was carried out among 438 urban Australian women aged 45-55 years at baseline. They were assessed annually for 8 years using a questionnaire on health and lifestyle, including self-ratings of well-being and daily 'hassles'. Statistical analyses were performed using cluster and repeated measures analyses.


RESULTS
About 80% of the women had consumed alcohol in the week preceding the interview. Alcohol intake was weakly associated with well-being overall (p = 0.094). Women who consumed alcohol at moderate levels had higher well-being scores than non-drinkers or heavy drinkers, however, provided they were also non-smokers and exercised weekly or more (p for interaction = 0.023) (21% of all study participants). Everyday symptoms and stresses had a negative impact on well-being (all p values < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Among women undergoing menopausal transition, well-being is positively associated with moderate alcohol consumption along with other lifestyle factors in a synergistic fashion, rather than any individual factor having a dominant or an independent effect.
School of Population Health, University of Queensland, Queenslan, Australia.
R
R
Alati
N
N
Dunn
D M
DM
Purdie
A M
AM
Roche
L
L
Dennerstein
S J
SJ
Darlington
J R
JR
Guthrie
A C
AC
Green
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D047648:Perimenopause / Q000187:drug effects; D011788:Quality of Life; D012107:Research Design; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
D000431:Ethanol