Changes in alcohol consumption with age

We report the results of an analysis of alcohol consumption data collected in a telephone survey of all adults in a sample of households in metropolitan St. John's in 1985. Regression analyses showed that the age-related decline in total alcohol consumption is a result of changes in the amount of alcohol consumed per drinking occasion rather than a decrease in the number of drinking occasions. Increased education is associated with increased drinking occasions, but decreased consumption per occasion. A large part of the gender difference in comparison can be explained by the fact that males are larger and have a larger percent body water, although differences in body composition cannot explain age-related changes in consumption. Health and happiness were not related to alcohol consumption.