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 > or = 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 (> or = 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.