title: Associations between leisure activities and binge drinking in adults: findings from a Swedish newly sick-listed sample.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leisure activities and drinking patterns are factors that can affect health and ability to return to work after a sick-leave. Associations between participation in leisure activities and binge drinking among sick-listed individuals have been paid little attention in the research literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to examine associations between leisure activities and binge drinking in a sample of newly sick-listed women and men.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 2,888 individuals aged 19-64 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional questionnaire data from the Health Assets Project, Sweden, was used. Participation in 18 leisure activities was estimated. Binge drinking was defined as consuming alcohol at least once a month, and typically consuming five or more glasses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among women aged 19-30 years who regularly went to concerts (OR 2.36) and wrote (OR 2.39) associations were found with binge drinking. Lower OR was found among women aged 31-64 who regularly went to the cinema (OR 0.43), out in the nature (OR 0.46) or participated in sports (OR 0.57). Among men, associations were found between socializing with friends and binge drinking in both age groups (OR 3.83 respectively 1.63). Among younger men who attended sporting events OR was 2.31, and among older men participating in religious communities OR was 0.28.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study contributes to understanding the interplay between leisure activities and health behavior. In particular, social activities in men were associated with binge drinking while the opposite was true for recreational activities in older women.
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Ann-Charlotte
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Mårdby
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and Rehabilitation/Occupational Therapy, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kristina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Holmgren
authors.affiliation: Social Medicine, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gunnel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Hensing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D063425:Binge Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol; leisure; sickness absence