Alcohol consumption in The Netherlands in the last decade: sharp decreases in binge drinking, especially among youngsters.
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.
Garretsen
H F L
HF
Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Tilburg University, Tilburg, The Netherlands. h.garretsen@uvt.nl
Rodenburg
G
G
van de Goor
L A M
LA
van den Eijnden
R J J M
RJ
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