Paper
International Journal of Obesity (2005) 29, 1436–1444. doi:10.1038/sj.ijo.0803034; published online 2 August 2005
Alcohol and adiposity: effects of quantity and type of drink and time relation with meals
S G Wannamethee1, A G Shaper1 and P H Whincup2
- 1Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill St, London, UK
- 2Department of Public Health Sciences, St George's Medical School Hospital, London, UK
Correspondence: Dr SG Wannamethee, Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, Rowland Hill St, London NW3 2PF, UK. E-mail: goya@pcps.ucl.ac.uk
Received 18 November 2003; Revised 4 August 2004; Accepted 12 August 2004; Published online 2 August 2005.
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
It has been suggested that the effects of alcohol on body weight and fat distribution may be influenced by the quantity and type of drink and may differ according to whether the alcohol is consumed with meals or not.
OBJECTIVE:
We have examined the cross-sectional association between alcohol intake, patterns of drinking and adiposity (body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist circumference (WC) and percentage body fat (%BF)).
METHODS:
We studied 3327 men aged 60–79 y with no history of myocardial infarction, stroke or diabetes drawn from general practices in 24 British towns.
RESULTS:
BMI, WHR, WC and %BF increased significantly with increasing alcohol intake even after adjustment for potential confounders (all P<0.0001), although the effects were stronger for WC and WHR (measures of central adiposity). Men who consumed 
21 units/week showed higher levels of central adiposity (WHR, WC) and general adiposity (BMI, %BF) than nondrinkers and lighter drinkers, irrespective of the predominant type of drink consumed (wine, beer, spirits or mixed). The positive association was most clearly seen in beer and spirit drinkers; positive but weaker associations were seen for wine. Among drinkers, a positive association was seen between alcohol intake and the adiposity variables irrespective of whether the alcohol was drunk with or separately from meals.
CONCLUSION:
Higher alcohol consumption (21 units/week) is positively associated with general and to a greater extent with central adiposity, irrespective of the type of drink and whether the alcohol is drunk with meals or not.
Keywords:
alcohol intake, type of drink, BMI, abdominal fat, % body fat
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