Association between alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic syndrome

AIMS: Examine associations between self-reported alcohol consumption patterns and metabolic syndrome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sample (N=7432) included adult (>/=20 years) participants in the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

RESULTS: Above moderate alcohol consumption (AMAC) was negatively associated with waist circumference among those in the 20-29, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups (beta=-6.21, beta=-8.34, and beta=-6.60, respectively) and moderate alcohol consumption (MAC) was negatively associated with waist circumference among those in the 30-39, 40-49, and 70-79 age groups (beta=-4.60, beta=-5.69, and beta=-2.88, respectively). AMAC was negatively associated with triglycerides among those in the 70-79 and 80+ age groups (beta=-23.62 and beta=-34.18, respectively) and positively associated with HDL-C levels in all groups (beta range 8.96-18.25). MAC was positively associated with HDL-C in the age groups spanning 20-69 years (beta range 3.05-5.34) and those over 80 (beta=5.26). AMAC and MAC were negatively associated with fasting glucose levels in the 20-29 and 70-79 age groups (beta=-3.38 and -15.61, respectively). MAC was negatively associated with fasting glucose levels among those 70-79 and those over 80 years of age (beta=-7.06 and beta=-5.00, respectively).

CONCLUSION: MAC and AMAC may favorably impact metabolic health.