Binge drinking and subsequent health and well-being among middle-aged Spanish adults: An outcome-wide analysis

Binge drinking has been associated with higher risks of adverse physical health outcomes. Motivations behind binge drinking may involve seeking pleasure and social connectedness, which are important aspects of life that constitute well-being. However, studies that apply a holistic framework of well-being to understand binge drinking remain limited, especially in non-English speaking populations.

Using longitudinal data from the "Seguimiento Universidad de Navarra" (SUN) Cohort (n = 2837 Spanish university graduates, 51% women, mean age [SD] = 54 [12] years, data collected from March 1999 to July 2022), this study examined the association of binge drinking with a wide range of subsequent psychological well-being, mental health, physical health, and health behaviour outcomes over a four-year follow-up period. A set of regression models were used, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, total alcohol consumption and pre-baseline values of the outcome variables.

Binge drinkers reported a higher mean level of positive relations with others (standardized β = 0.12, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.24) than non-binge drinkers. However, binge drinking was associated with several adverse health outcomes such as higher risks of obesity (RR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.09 to 3.19), major cardiovascular events (RR = 2.46, 95% CI: 1.04 to 5.82), and unfavourable health behaviours (e.g., a longer screen time by 2.85 hours/week, 95% CI: 0.46 to 5.23).

Our study provides novel insights into the complex and multifaceted relationship of binge drinking with health and well-being. Further research will enhance our understandings of binge drinking and inform culturally appropriate interventions that effectively mitigate its negative consequences.