Drinking Small Amounts Of Alcohol Regularly Reduces Risk Of Obesity

Posted on 2006-01-09 07:19:18 in Weight and Obesity |

People who drink small amounts of alcohol regularly are less likely to be obesethan people who do not drink at all. A study published today in the open accessjournal BMC Public Health shows that consuming no more than a drink or two a fewtimes a week reduces the risk of being obese. Consuming four or more drinks perday, however, increases the risk of being obese by 46 percent.

Ahmed Arif, from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, in Lubbock, USA and James Rohrer, from Mayo Clinic, Rochester, USA, analysed the results of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III in a subset of 8,236 non-smoker respondents. The respondents had all filled a questionnaire about their drinking habits and their body mass index (BMI) had been measured.

Out of the sample studied, 46% were 'current drinkers' and drank at least one drink a month on average. Individuals who drank four or more drinks per day were classified as heavy drinkers. Obesity was defined as a BMI equal to or higher than 30.

The results of the study show that current drinkers had 0.73 lower chances of being obese than non-drinkers. Current drinkers who drank one to two glasses regularly, but less than five drinks per week, were significantly less likely to be obese than non

Read Full Story

Health Headlines MORE »

Pepper Compounds for Weight Management
Capsaicin (found in hot peppers) and capsiates (present in sweet peppers) exert modest weight management benefits.
Americans Lag in Preventive Screenings
While over 20% of U.S. adults receive periodic health examinations each year, many do not receive recommended preventive screening tests and counseling services
The Stress – Obesity Connection
Researchers from Norway suggest a mechanism by which stress may make a person fat, and being obese may create stress.
Lack of Sleep Triggers Hunger
Swedish researchers report that people who are short on sleep experience greater levels of hunger.
Knock Out Anxiety
Among women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), regular physical activity helps to reduce anxiety, irritability, feelings of tension, low energy and pain.
Magnesium Helps to Reduce Stroke Risk
For every 100 mg per-day increase in magnesium in the diet, stroke risk may decline by up to 9%.
Senior Runners Continue to Excel
The best male marathon runners over age 65, and the best female marathon runners over age 45, continue to consistently improve their performance.
Stem Cell Therapy Restores Vision
UCLA-led team safely uses human embryonic stem cells to treat macular degeneration.
Beware the Office Air
First-of-its-kind study reports that indoor air in offices is an important source of worker exposure to potentially toxic substances.
One in Five US Adults Afflicted with Mental Illness
Twenty percent of Americans ages 18+ experienced a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder in 2010.
Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum Anti-Aging Forum
Anti-Aging textbook Anti-Aging Forum MLDP Anti-aging jobs Join A4M
ANTI-AGING TIP OF THE DAY
A Bright Future
University of Southern Denmark researchers report that more than half of the babies born today in developed countries will live to be 100, and the extended lifespan will likely come with fewer disabilities and limitations. Writing that: “If the pace of increase in life expectancy in developed countries over the past two centuries continues through the 21st century...
» MORE