Binge Drinking in Spain, 2008-2010
BACKGROUND: Most alcohol-related research has focused on northern and eastern Europe and the United States. Data on Mediterranean countries point to drinking patterns approaching the sporadic and excessive patterns found in northern and eastern Europe. This is the first study to estimate the prevalence of binge drinking (BD) and the joint distribution of BD, regular heavy alcohol consumption, and alcohol abuse or dependence (AAD) in a nationally representative sample of the adult population of Spain.
METHODS: Cross-sectional studyThe defining feature of a cross-sectional study is that it can compare different population groups a... conducted in 2008 to 2010 with 9,130 persons aged 18 to 64 years. BD was defined as intake of >/=80 g of alcohol in men (>/=60 g in women) during any drinking occasion in the previous month, with >/=3 BD episodes discriminating between frequent and sporadic BD. Regular alcohol consumption was measured with a validated diet history, and the threshold between moderate and heavy drinking was >/=40 g of alcohol/d in men (>/=24 g in women). AAD was defined by a CAGE score >/=2.
RESULTS: BD prevalence was 10% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.8 to 11.2) in men and 4.2% (95% CI: 3.5 to 4.8) in women, and proved highest among 18- to 24-year-olds (19.5% in men and 10.3% in women). During the latest BD episode, men consumed a mean of 114 g of alcohol versus 85.3 g in women; spirits accounted for 65.2 and 66.2% of total intake, respectively. The mean number of monthly BD episodes was 2.3 in men and 2 in women. Among binge drinkers, 61% were 18- to 34-year-olds, over 80% had regular moderate drinking, 25% reported frequent BD, and 22.8% reported AAD. In multivariate analyses, sporadic BD and frequent BD were associated with AAD independently of regular alcohol intake.
CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of BD in Spain is moderately high. Prevention interventions should consider that the majority of binge drinkers are young men with regular moderate consumption and no AAD traits.
Additional Info
-
Authors
Soler-Vila H.; Galan I.; Valencia-Martin J.L.; Leon-Munoz L.M.; Guallar-Castillon P.; Rodriguez-Artalejo F. -
Issue
Alcohol Clin.Exp.Res. / pages 810-9 / 38(3) -
Published Date
24 october 2013
Related items
- Alcohol Consumption Amount, Drinking Pattern, and the Trajectory of Multimorbidity: A Prospective Cohort Study
- A Systematic Review of the Impact of the Alcohol Hangover Upon Negative Affect
- Is why we drink alcohol important when considering the potential public health benefit of alcohol-free and low-alcohol drinks? A cross-sectional study investigating associations between alcohol drinking motives and alcohol-free and low-alcohol drink consumption among adults in Great Britain
- The level of acute alcohol exposure during binge drinking associates with the extent of cardiac response
- Heavy Episodic Drinking Among French Adolescents Between 2005 and 2022: Decreasing Prevalence Rates and Increased Risks