Establishing Rates of Binge Drinking in the Uk: Anomalies in the Data (original) (raw)
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Biomed Res Int, 2014
Background. Although binge drinking prevalence and correlates among young people have been extensively studied in the USA and Northern Europe, less is known for Southern Europe countries with relatively healthier drinking cultures. Objective. We aimed at analyzing prevalence and correlates of binge drinking in a representative sample of young adults in Italy. Methods. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among alcohol-consuming young adults. We carried out univariate and multivariate analyses to assess associations between recent binge drinking and candidate variables. Results. We selected 654 subjects, with 590 (mean age: 20.65 ± 1.90) meeting inclusion criteria. Prevalence for recent binge drinking was 38.0%, significantly higher for females than males. Multivariate analysis showed that high alcohol expectancies, large amount of money available during the weekend, interest for parties and discos, female gender, cannabis use, influence by peers, and electronic cigarettes smoking all were significantly associated with recent binge drinking, whereas living with parents appeared a significant protective factor. Conclusions. More than a third of young adults using alcohol are binge drinkers, and, in contrast with findings from Anglo-Saxon countries, females show higher risk as compared with males. These data suggest the increasing importance of primary and secondary prevention programmes for binge drinking.
Dynamics and typologies of heavy drinking drinking styles in Great Britain 1978-201
Aims: To identify a typology of heavier drinking styles in Great Britain and to identify socio-demographic trends in the typology over the period 1978–2010. Methods: We applied multiple correspondence analysis and agglomerative hierarchical clustering to beverage-specific quantity–frequency measures of alcohol consumption in the repeated cross-sectional General Lifestyle Survey of Great Britain, 1978–2010. The cluster analysis focuses on the 60,043 adult respondents over this period reporting average drinking levels above the UK Government guidelines. We projected sex, age, income, education, socioeconomic status and tobacco consumption variables onto the clusters to inspect socio-demographic trends in heavier drinking. Results: We identified four stable clusters of heavier drinking: (a) high volume beer; (b) beer and spirit combination; (c) all beverage and (d) wine and spirit only. The socio-demographic characteristics of the clusters were distinct from both each other and the general population. However, all clusters had higher median incomes and higher smoking rates than the population. Increases in the prevalence of heavier drinking were driven by a 5-fold increase in the contribution of the female-dominated, wine and spirit only cluster. Conclusions: Recent changes in per capita alcohol consumption in Great Britain occurred within the context of a stable typology of heavier drinking styles and shifting socio-demographics. Identifying these trends is essential to better understand how drinking cultures develop over time and where potentially problematic drinking styles may emerge. Our findings suggest that careful attention to patterns and cultures of consumption is more important than relying on headline consumption data, for both understanding drinking behaviours and targeting interventions. Short Summary: This analysis of alcohol consumption survey data identifies four styles of heavier drinking in Great Britain, which remain unchanged over the period 1978–2010. The socio-demographic characteristics of the drinking styles are distinct from both each other and the general population, with increased participation of female and older drinkers over time.
Binge Drinking: A Confused Concept and its Contemporary History
Social History of Medicine, 2009
Binge drinking is a matter of current social, political and media concern. It has a longterm, but also a recent, history. This paper discusses the contemporary history of the concept of binge drinking. In recent years there have been significant changes in how binge drinking is defined and conceptualised. Going on a 'binge' used to mean an extended period (days) of heavy drinking, while now it generally refers to a single drinking session leading to intoxication. We argue that the definitional change is related to the shifts in the focus of alcohol policy and alcohol science, in particular in the last two decades, and also in the role of the dominant interest groups. The paper is a case study in the relationship between science and policy. We explore key themes, raise questions and point to a possible agenda for future research. and b.thom@mdx.ac.uk 1 For example, entering the phrase 'women binge drinking' into the Daily Mail on-line search facility produced 'about 9,166' articles
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.
Trends in alcohol use and binge drinking, 1985–1999
American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2004
Alcohol abuse is a major public health problem in the United States. Binge drinking and drinking among youth are of special concern. The purpose of this study is to examine trends in alcohol use and binge drinking and correlates of the behaviors with a focus on drinking among persons 18 to 20 years of age.Data are from telephone interviews of 449,110 adults aged ≥18 years residing in the 19 states that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from 1985 to 1999. The percentages reporting current alcohol use and binge use (≥5 drinks per occasion) were calculated by year, age, gender, race, and level of education. Data were analyzed in 2003.From 1985 to 1999, the prevalence of current alcohol use dropped 7.3%, and binge drinking dropped 3.3%. Among all age groups, most of the decline occurred before 1990. The greatest decline in both current (12.6%) and binge use (7.3%) occurred in the 18- to 20-year-old group. Between 1997 and 1999, however, respondents in this age group reported increases in these behaviors. Throughout the survey period, the proportion of current users who binge changed very little and remained highest among persons aged 18–20 years (52.1%).Alcohol use leveled off in the 1990s, but may be increasing, especially among persons 18–20 years of age. Those who drink are about as likely to report binge drinking as were drinkers 15 years ago.
Research Note, Patterns of Alcohol Consumption in a Northern Irish Sample
Substance Use & Misuse, 2005
This paper examines the drinking habits of a Northern Irish sample during a six-month period in 1998. In addition the study examines the influence of contextual variables on the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption. Questionnaires were administered to 600 participants; the response rate was 39.8% (239). An unexpected low abstinence rate was observed that, however, may be due to response bias. The results revealed high frequency (29.7% drink on four or more days a week) and high quantity of alcohol consumption (mean units per week 43.21, SD 40.33). Beer drinkers consumed the largest quantity of alcohol and also had the highest frequency of alcohol consumption. It was observed that 45.8% of all drinking events took place in a public bar and the popularity of the public bar for alcohol consumption was not influenced by age or gender. The present investigation revealed that almost half (45%) of individuals consume more than one type of beverage at one sitting, and there is a trend of consuming alcohol in more than one place during a single drinking session. These results indicate a distinctive drinking pattern within Northern Ireland and have implications for studies investigating the effects of alcohol on the social drinker.
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.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Hazardous alcohol consumption is ranked above illicit drug use with regards to health deterioration and social and economic burden. This study sought to clarify the factors influencing alcohol consumption and its prevalence in young adults. Demographics, alcohol consumption and lifestyle information were gathered via anonymous questionnaires during 2011–2019, crossing Reading, Surrey and Farnborough universities, UK. Controlling for confounders, a multinomial logistic regression was performed using SAS® 9.4 software. A total of 1440 students (43.5% males, 56.5% females; 54.4% Caucasians) with a mean (SD) age of 19.9 (2.73) were included. Among them, 68.9% consumed alcohol frequently and 31.7% had ≥12 units/week. Statistical analysis revealed that males consumed twice more alcohol than females, odds ratio (OR) 1.67 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.34–2.09), p-value < 0.01. Caucasians consumed up to five times more alcohol than other ethnicities, OR 4.55 (3.57–5.56), p-value < ...