title: Alcohol consumption in The Netherlands in the last decade: sharp decreases in binge drinking, especially among youngsters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine the development of alcohol consumption and 'binge drinking' in The Netherlands over the period 1997-2005.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from three national population surveys commissioned by the Dutch Ministry of Health were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Decreases in binge drinking have appeared, especially for youngsters, which are not explained by changes in the composition of the population according to religious orientation, and for which no other explanation can be given at present.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trends in binge drinking in The Netherlands can vary over relatively short spaces of time.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. h.garretsen@uvt.nl
authors.forename: H F L
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Garretsen
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodenburg
authors.forename: L A M
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: van de Goor
authors.forename: R J J M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: van den Eijnden
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012067:Religion; D012720:Severity of Illness Index