Association between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome among Korean adults: nondrinker versus lifetime abstainer as a reference group

Abstract

Background: Discrepant results regarding the association between alcohol consumption and metabolic syndrome may be partly attributable to the different selection of the reference group.

Methods: Data from a representative sample of 6,432 Korean adults in 2008 were analyzed.

Results: Using lifetime abstainers as the reference group, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome among men was increased in ex-drinkers [3.15 (1.69-5.89)], responsible drinking [0.1-39.9 g/day; 1.77 (1.0-3.13)], and hazardous drinking [≥40 g/day; 2.06 (1.05-4.07)].

Conclusions: Alcohol consumption in men, but not in women, is associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome.