The importance of drinking frequency in evaluating individuals' drinking patterns: implications for the development of national drinking guidelines (original) (raw)
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American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2020
Introduction: Studies have shown that estimates of alcohol consumption in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are lower than those in other surveys of U.S. adults, potentially underestimating the public health impact of excessive drinking and related harms. This study compared estimates of adults' drinking patterns and the distribution of drinks consumed by average daily alcohol consumption from the BRFSS and another nationwide telephone survey. Methods: The 2014-2015 National Alcohol Survey (NAS, N=7,067) and the 2015 BRFSS (N=408,069) were used to assess alcohol consumption among adults (≥18 years), analyzed in 2019. The weighted prevalence of binge-level drinking and the distribution of drinks consumed by average daily alcohol consumption (low, medium, high) were assessed for the previous 12-months using NAS and the previous 30-days using BRFSS, stratified by respondents' characteristics. Results: The prevalence of binge-level drinking in a day was 26.1% (CI=24.4-27.8) for the NAS; and the binge drinking prevalence was 17.4% (CI=17.1-17.6) for the BRFSS. The prevalence of high average daily alcohol consumption among current drinkers was 8.2% for the NAS, accounting for 51.0% of total drinks consumed; and 3.3% for the BRFSS, accounting for 27.7% of total drinks consumed. Conclusions: NAS yearly prevalence estimates of binge-level drinking in a day and high average daily consumption were consistently higher than BRFSS monthly binge drinking and high average daily consumption prevalence estimates. When planning and evaluating prevention
DRINKING PATTERNS AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES: REPORT FROM AN INTERNATIONAL MEETING
Addiction, 1996
Recent epidemiohgica! and social studies have increasingly pointed to the importance of drinking patterns in explaining consequences of alcohol consumption. This paper presents recommendations for research in the area based on the presentations and discussions of the first "Internationa! Conference on Social and Health Effects of Different Drinking Patterns" held in Toronto in November 1995. In particular, the social dimension in pattern research, and the relationship between patterns of drinking and causalities as well as social harm, are stressed. The paper also argues for better theories, incorporating knowledge from related basic disciplines. In addition, we emphasize the need for improved methodologies and standardized methods for assessing drinking patterns. Finally, implications of research on drinking patterns for policy and programme development are discussed.
Impact of a new gender-specific definition for binge drinking on prevalence estimates for women
2011
Background: Binge drinking accounts for more than half of the 79,000 deaths due to excessive drinking in the U.S. each year. In 2006, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) lowered the threshold for defıning binge drinking among women from Ն5 drinks to Ն4 drinks per occasion, in accordance with national recommendations. Purpose: To assess changes in binge-drinking prevalence among women. Methods: The relative and absolute change in binge drinking among U.S. adult women was assessed using pooled BRFSS data from the 2 years before (2004-2005) and after (2006-2007) the implementation of the new gender-specifıc defınition. Analyses were conducted in 2008-2009. Results: Binge-drinking prevalence among women increased 2.6 percentage points (from 7.3% in 2004-2005 to 9.9% in 2006-2007), a 35.6% relative increase. The percentage of women who reported consuming exactly 4 drinks in 2006 (3.6%) was similar to the increase in the prevalence of binge drinking among women that was observed from 2005 to 2006 (absolute changeϭ2.9 percentage points). Conclusions: The new gender-specifıc defınition of binge drinking signifıcantly increased the identifıcation of women drinking at dangerous levels. The change in prevalence among women was primarily due to the change in the defınition and not to actual changes in drinking behavior. The new gender-specifıc defınition of binge drinking can increase the usefulness of this measure for public health surveillance and support the planning and implementation of effective prevention strategies (e.g., increasing alcohol excise taxes).
Drug and alcohol review, 2018
Gender and age patterns of drinking are important in guiding country responses to harmful use of alcohol. This study undertook cross-country analysis of drinking across gender, age groups in some high-and middle-income countries. Surveys of drinkers were conducted in Australia, England, Scotland, New Zealand, St Kitts and Nevis (high-income), Thailand, South Africa, Mongolia and Vietnam (middle-income) as part of the International Alcohol Control Study. Drinking pattern measures were high-frequency, heavier-typical quantity and higher-risk drinking. Differences in the drinking patterns across age and gender groups were calculated. Logistic regression models were applied including a measure of country-level income. Percentages of high-frequency, heavier-typical quantity and higher-risk drinking were greater among men than in women in all countries. Older age was associated with drinking more frequently but smaller typical quantities especially in high-income countries. Middle-income ...
Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2005
Aims: To consider the consequences, within a UK population sample, of consuming a given amount of alcohol weekly in one or two sessions as against spreading it out over several sessions. Methods: A new analysis of data from the UK components of the GENACIS survey of adults aged у18, was carried out. Results: At low levels of weekly alcohol consumption those subjects whose usual drinking frequency was several times per week ('spreaders'), if anything, reported more alcohol problems than those who consumed alcohol only once or twice per week ('bingers'). As weekly consumption increased above ~11 units per week 'bingers' began to experience more problems than 'spreaders'. At the highest levels of consumption 'bingers' reported more positive experiences from drinking than did 'spreaders'. Subjects >54 years showed lower levels of weekly alcohol consumption than other subjects, and relationships between problems, drinking level, and drinking pattern were less in evidence. Females drank less alcohol and experienced fewer alcohol-related problems than did their male counterparts. However, at high-consumption levels, female 'bingers' experienced fewer problems than male 'bingers'. Conclusions: For most but not all the variables studied, both drinking level and drinking pattern are important determinants of problems experienced. Binge drinking for people who drink more than ~11 units per week is an obvious target for harm minimization.
Drinking Beyond the Binge Threshold: Predictors, Consequences, and Changes in the U.S
American journal of preventive medicine, 2017
Binge drinking, five or more drinks on an occasion for men and four or more for women, marks risky alcohol use. However, this dichotomous variable removes information about higher, more dangerous consumption. This paper examines predictors, consequences, and changes over a decade in drinking one to two times, two to three times, and three or more times standard gender-specific binge thresholds, labeled Levels I, II, and III. In 2001-2002 and 2012-2013, respectively, 42,748 and 36,083 U.S. respondents aged ≥18 years were interviewed in person in cross-sectional waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (response rates, 81% and 61%). Respondents were asked their past-year maximum drink consumption per day, categorized as Levels I, II, or III. Predictors and whether Levels II and III were associated with more negative consequences were analyzed in 2012-2013 data. In 2001-2002, 23% of adults reported past-year binge drinking, with 15% peaking at Level ...
Binge drinking: Health impact, prevalence, correlates and interventions
Psychology & Health, 2017
Objective: Binge drinking (also called heavy episodic drinking, risky singleoccasion drinking etc.) is a major public health problem. This paper provides an overview of recently published evidence concerning the definition and measurement, prevalence rates, health impact, demographic and psychosocial correlates of, and interventions for, binge drinking. Design: Narrative review. Results: Mostly occurring among young people at weekends, binge drinking increases the risk of both acute (e.g. injuries) and long-term negative consequences (e.g. alcohol disorders). Binge drinkers tend to be extrovert, impulsive and sensation-seeking. Stress, anxiety, traumatic events and depression are also related to binge drinking. Both alcohol-related behaviour of parents and general parenting (e.g. parenting styles, monitoring) are also important. Other major risk factors for binge drinking are frequently spending time with friends who drink, and the drinking norms observed in the wider social environment (e.g. school, community, culture). Emergency departments, birthday parties, fraternities and the workplace serve as settings for interventions; these are increasingly delivered via digital and mobile technology. There is evidence of small-sized effects across approaches (brief interventions, personalised normative feedback, protective behavioural strategies etc.) and populations. Conclusion: A more consistent terminology, investigating multi-level influences and identifying the most effective intervention components are challenges for future research.
Gender Differences in Binge Drinking: Prevalence, Predictors, and Consequences
2018
Just as binge drinking rates differ for men and women, the predictors and consequences of binge drinking vary by gender as well. This article examines these differences and how binge drinking definitions and research samples and methods may influence findings. It also describes the relationship between age and binge drinking among men and women, and how drinking culture and environment affect this relationship. It examines gender-specific trends in binge drinking, predictors of binge drinking for men and women, and binge drinking in the context of smoking. The article reviews current findings on gender differences in the health consequences of binge drinking, including morbidity and mortality, suicidality, cancer, cardiovascular disorders, liver disorders, and brain and neurocognitive implications. It also discusses gender differences in the behavioral and social consequences of binge drinking, including alcohol-impaired driving, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence, and includes implications for treatment and prevention.
Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2002
Studies of alcohol use often depend on self-reported alcohol intake measured by quantity/frequency questionnaires. Previous research has shown that alcohol consumption may be underestimated by this type of retrospective questionnaire. The primary aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of an Alcohol Use Questionnaire (AUQ) with a 4-week diary account. A further aim was to explore patterns of drinking in young social drinkers, with particular attention to binge drinking, which has been suggested as a factor in increasing the risk of alcohol dependency. University students completed the AUQ in the laboratory. They were then asked to keep a record of their alcohol, nicotine and caffeine consumption over a 4-week period (diary). The questionnaire and the diaries were compared on factors of alcohol intake (units per week) and patterns of drinking behaviour (speed of drinking, number of times being drunk and percentage of times getting drunk when drinking). The two measures (AUQ and diary) were highly correlated on alcohol consumption and the other questions relating to drinking behaviour. However, differences were found between the two measures on alcohol intake, speed of drinking (drinks per hour) and number of times being drunk. Alcohol consumption was underestimated by ~12% on the questionnaire, and, when the accuracy of estimation of drinking habits was examined, it was found that high drinkers tended to underestimate their drinking behaviour, whereas lower drinkers tended to overestimate. The results suggest that the AUQ can be used with a reasonable degree of confidence, bearing in mind the tendency for high drinkers to underestimate consumption and drinking behaviour. Relationships between 'binge scores', beverage specificity and alcohol consumption support the idea that the criteria for binge drinkers should be based on patterns of drinking rather than alcohol consumption.