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Change in Alcohol Intake in Relation to Weight Change in a Cohort of US Men with 24 Years of Follow‐Up
Author(s) -
Downer Mary Kathryn,
Bertoia Monica L.,
Mukamal Ken J.,
Rimm Eric B.,
Stampfer Meir J.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
obesity
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.438
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1930-739X
pISSN - 1930-7381
DOI - 10.1002/oby.21979
Subject(s) - medicine , alcohol , weight gain , wine , weight change , weight loss , alcohol consumption , cohort study , demography , cohort , unit of alcohol , obesity , zoology , body weight , food science , chemistry , biochemistry , sociology , biology
Objective The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the potential effects of alcohol by subtype on reported long‐term weight change. Methods This study examined changes in alcohol intake (total, wine, light beer, regular beer, and liquor) and simultaneous changes in reported body weight within 4‐year periods from 1986 to 2010 from US men in the Health Professionals Follow‐Up Study. The study adjusted for age, changes in lifestyle and dietary covariates, and cardiovascular risk factors. Results The study included observations of 44,603 four‐year periods from 14,971 men. Total alcohol, total beer, regular beer, and liquor intakes, modeled as the increase in weight per increase in drinks per day, were each directly associated with moderate weight gain over the 4‐year periods, in pounds: total alcohol: 0.23 (0.10 to 0.35); total beer: 0.29 (0.08 to 0.51); regular beer: 0.61 (0.22 to 1.00); and liquor: 0.28 (0.09 to 0.48). Results for wine and light beer were as follows: wine: 0.16 (−0.04 to 0.36) and light beer: −0.38 (−1.07 to 0.08). Results were strongest for men < 55 years old. Conclusions Increased alcohol consumption was associated with minor reported weight gain at levels unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Beverage‐specific differences were not substantial enough to make dietary recommendations for weight loss or maintenance by beverage type. The greatest risk of weight gain was among men who increased consumption to levels well above moderation.