title: Associations between binge and heavy drinking and health behaviors in a nationally representative sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Binge and heavy drinking are noted in the literature for their relatively high prevalence and adverse health-related effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) to determine the associations between binge and heavy drinking and a wide range of health-related variables, including positive and negative health behaviors, preventive care practices, and quality of life indices in a nationally representative sample of 344,793 adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rates of binge and heavy drinking in the current sample were 15% and 5%, respectively. Binge and heavy drinking were more common among men, younger adults, and individuals with higher incomes and at least some college education. After controlling for relevant demographic variables, binge and heavy drinking were associated with a number of adverse health-related and preventive care behaviors (e.g., smoking, failing to receive a mammogram), as well as less life satisfaction and a greater number of poor mental health days than those who did not engage in these drinking behaviors. Interestingly, binge and heavy drinking were also associated with some positive health-related variables (e.g., recent physical activity, positive perceptions of one's own health).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The current study findings provide additional information regarding the relations between health-related attitudes and behaviors and binge and heavy drinking in the U.S. population. Implications of study findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
authors.forename: Lisa A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Anouk L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Grubaugh
authors.forename: B Christopher
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Frueh
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Leonard E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Egede
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000431:Ethanol / Q000506:poisoning; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol