The impact of a population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on alcohol intake: the Inter99 study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of screening and five years of multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on changes in alcohol intake in a general population.


METHODS
The study was a pre-randomized intervention study on lifestyle, Inter99 (1999-2006), Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants in the intervention group (n=6 091) had at baseline a medical health examination and a face-to-face lifestyle counselling. Individuals at high risk of ischemic heart disease were repeatedly offered both individual and group-based counselling. The control group (n=3 324) was followed by questionnaires. Alcohol intake was measured by questionnaires. Changes were analysed by multilevel analyses.


RESULTS
Binge drinking decreased both in men and women at three and five-year follow-ups (men: five-year: net-change:-0.13; p=0.03; women: five-year: net-change:-0.08; p=0.04). Furthermore, in women the ratio between wine and total alcohol was increased compared with the control group at five-year follow-up (net-change: 0.04; p<0.01). In men with a high intake of alcohol (>21 drinks per week) the effect on total alcohol intake was maintained at five-year follow-up (net-change: -3.7; p=0.01). No significant effects were found in women on total alcohol intake.


CONCLUSIONS
Multi-factorial lifestyle intervention, including low intensity alcohol intervention, improved long-term alcohol habits in a general population.
Toft
Ulla
U
Research Centre for Prevention and Health, Glostrup University Hospital, Building 84/85, DK-2600 Glostrup, Denmark. ulto@glo.regionh.dk
Pisinger
Charlotta
C
Aadahl
Mette
M
Lau
Cathrine
C
Linneberg
Allan
A
Ladelund
Steen
S
Kristoffersen
Lis
L
Jørgensen
Torben
T
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003718:Denmark; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000517:prevention & control; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires