Patterns of alcohol use and associated physical and lifestyle characteristics according to new Australian guidelines

To describe the pattern of alcohol consumption and associated physical and lifestyle characteristics in a population-based sample of Australian men.

A community-based age-stratified random sample of 1420 men (median age 56 years, range 20-93) participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study, an epidemiological study set in south-eastern Australia. Daily alcohol intake was ascertained from a detailed food frequency questionnaire and categorized according to the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council 2009 guidelines (non-drinkers, greater than zero but ≤ 2 drinks per day, > 2 drinks per day), with a standard drink equivalent to 10 g of ethanol. Anthropometry was measured and lifestyle factors self-reported. Body composition was determined using dual energy absorptiometry. Socio-economic status was categorized according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics data. Results were age standardized to the Australian male population figures.

The median daily ethanol consumption was 12 g (IQR 2-29) per day with a range of 0-117 g/day. The age-standardized proportion of non-drinkers was 8.7%, 51.5% consumed up to two drinks per day (≤ 20 g ethanol/day), and 39.9% exceeded 2 standard drinks per day (> 20 g ethanol/day). Alcohol consumption was positively associated with cigarette smoking, weight, higher SES and inversely with age and physical activity.

Approximately, 40% of Australian men consume alcohol at levels in excess of current recommendations, which in combination with other risk factors may adversely impact upon health.