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Relationship of abdominal obesity with alcohol consumption at population scale

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Abstract

Background

The high energy content of alcohol makes its consumption a potential contributor to the obesity epidemic.

Aim of the study

To determine whether alcohol consumption is a risk factor for abdominal obesity, taking into account energy underreporting.

Methods

The subjects were Spanish men (n = 1491) and women (n = 1563) aged 25–74 years who were examined in 1999–2000, in a population-based cross-sectional survey in northeastern Spain (Girona). Dietary intake, including alcohol consumption, was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric variables were measured.

Results

The mean consumption of alcohol was 18.1 ± 20.7 g/d in men and 5.3 ± 10.4 g/d in women. 19.3% of men and 2.3% of women reported alcohol consumption of more than 3 drinks per day. The consumption of alcohol was directly associated with total energy intake in men (P < 0.001) and women (P = 0.001). The proportion of energy underreporting significantly (P < 0.001) decreased with higher amounts of alcohol drinking in both genders. Multiple logistic regression analysis, controlled for energy underreporting, smoking, educational level, leisure-time physical activity, energy, and diet quality, revealed that consuming more than 3 drinks of alcohol (>30 g ethanol) was significantly associated with the risk of abdominal obesity (Odds ratio 1.80; 1.05, 3.09) and exceeding recommended energy consumption (Odds ratio 1.97; 1.32, 2.93) in men. A very small number (2.13%) of women in this population reported high levels of alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Alcohol consumption in elevated amounts was associated with risk of abdominal obesity in men, independent of energy underreporting.

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Acknowledgments

We appreciate the English revision made by Dr. Elaine M. Lilly (Writers First Aid).

This research was supported by grant 2FD097-0297-CO2-01 from Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) and by parts of the Ministerio de Sanidad y Consumo, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Red HERACLES RD06/0009, CIBER: Epidemiología y salud pública CB06/02/0029, CIBER: Fisiopatología de la obesidad y nutrición CB06/03/0028, Fondo de Invesigación Sanitaria ISCIII CP 03/00115.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lipids and Cardiovascular Epidemiology Research Unit, Institut Municipal d’Investigació Mèdica, IMIM, Hospital de Mar, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (PRBB), c/Doctor Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Spain

    Helmut Schröder, Monica Guxens & Jaume Marrugat

  2. Dept. of Pharmacy, IMIM-Hospital de Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    Jose Antonio Morales-Molina

  3. Dept. of Anesthesiology, IMIM-Hospital de Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    Silvia Bermejo & Eduardo Soler Mándoli

  4. Pharmacology Research Unit, IMIM-Hospital de Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    Diego Barral

  5. Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Diego Barral & María Grau

  6. Preventive Medicine and Public Health IMAS-UPF-ASPB, Barcelona, Spain

    María Grau

  7. IMIM-Hospital de Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    Elisabet de Jaime Gil

  8. Dept. of Pneumology, IMIM-Hospital de Mar, Barcelona, Spain

    Marisol Domínguez Álvarez

Authors
  1. Helmut Schröder
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  2. Jose Antonio Morales-Molina
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  3. Silvia Bermejo
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  6. María Grau
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  7. Monica Guxens
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  8. Elisabet de Jaime Gil
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  9. Marisol Domínguez Álvarez
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  10. Jaume Marrugat
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Helmut Schröder.

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Schröder, H., Morales-Molina, J.A., Bermejo, S. et al. Relationship of abdominal obesity with alcohol consumption at population scale. Eur J Nutr 46, 369–376 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-007-0674-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-007-0674-7

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