Effect of alcohol consumption on obesity among nonsmokers

Purpose Obesity is recognized as a major public health problem in the U.S. However, the effect of alcohol consumption on obesity is not well understood. This study used data from NHANES III to explore association between overweight, obesity and alcohol consumption in the nonsmoking U.S. adult population. Methods We analyzed data on a total of 8,236 respondents who participated in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Body mass index (weight-kg/height-m2) was derived from measured height and weight data and categorized into: normal weight (BMI < 25 kg-m2) Overweight (BMI between 25 kg-m2and 30 kg-m2), and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg-m2). Alcohol consumption was measured using following measures: history of drinking, quantity of drinks/day, frequency of drinking, average volume of drinks/week, and binge drinking. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess relationship between the categorical BMI variable and alcohol consumption. Pregnant women and those with missing information on alcohol consumption were excluded from the analysis. The analysis was adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity, poverty income ratio, education, marital status, self-rated health, and leisure time physical activities. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were computed. STATA statistical software package version 8.2 was used to perform all the analyses. Results Mean BMI in this sample of nonsmokers was 26.4 (95% CI: 26.1, 26.7). Approximately 46% of respondents were classified as current drinkers. Current drinkers had lower odds of obesity (Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.98) as compared to nondrinkers. Those who reported drinking one or two drinks per day had 0.47 (95% CI: 0.35, 0.64) and 0.60 (95% CI: 0.41, 0.88) times the odds of obesity, respectively. Similarly, the odds of obesity were significantly lower among those who reported drinking less than five drinks per week (AOR) = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.84) and not binge drinking (AOR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.40–0.77). The association between current drinking, average volume of drinking, binge drinking, and obesity were significant only in female respondents. Conclusion Consumption of moderate quantities of alcohol is associated with lower weight. This effect may only be limited to females.