Trends in Energy Intake from Alcoholic Beverages among US Adults by Sociodemographic Characteristics, 1989-2012

Abstract

Background: Long-term US trends in alcoholic beverage calorie intakes remain unexamined, particularly with respect to changes in population subgroup-specific patterns over time.

Objective: This study examined shifts in the consumption of alcoholic beverages, in total and by beverage type, on any given day among US adults in relation to sociodemographic characteristics.

Design: This study was a repeated cross-sectional analysis of data from the 1989-1991 and 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals and the 2003-2006 and 2009-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys.

Participants and setting: Adults aged ≥19 years (N=39,298) were targeted. A subset of alcoholic beverage consumers (n=7,081) were studied.

Statistical analyses performed: Survey weighted mean per capita per day intakes (among all participants, both consumers of alcoholic beverages and nonconsumers) and contributions of beer, wine, and liquor/mixed drinks to total alcoholic beverage energy were determined. Multivariable regression models were used to examine trends in the proportion of alcoholic beverage consumers and the per consumer intakes (among consumers of alcoholic beverages only).

Results: Per capita intakes from alcoholic beverages increased from 49 kcal/capita/day in 1989-1991 to 109 kcal/capita/day in 2003-2006 (P<0.001). The proportion consuming alcoholic beverages on any given day increased significantly from 1989-1991 to 2009-2012 (P for overall increasing trend <0.0001) for most sociodemographic subgroups. Per consumer, alcoholic beverage calories increased between 1989-1991 and 1994-1996 (P<0.05) for many subpopulations. Adults with less than high school education were less likely to consume alcohol, yet had higher per consumer calorie intakes compared with adults with a college degree. Women and adults aged ≥60 years experienced a shift away from liquor/mixed drinks toward wine between 2003-2006 and 2009-2012. Beer contributed roughly 70% to total alcoholic beverage intake for less educated consumers across time.

Conclusions: These results indicate there has been an increase in the proportion of US adults who drink on any given day and an increase in calories consumed from alcoholic beverages when drinking occurs.

Keywords: Alcoholic beverages; Beer; Calories; Liquor; Wine.

Figure 1. Per capita energy intake from alcoholic beverages and percent contribution by beverage type to total alcoholic beverage energy intake overall and by sex, 1989–2012

Panel labels:

1. Overall

2. Men

3. Women

Data for adults (≥19 y) who reported dietary intake on day 1 of diet assessment from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 1989–91, CSFII 1994–1996, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006, and NHANES 2009–2012 (N= 39,298). Percentages indicate the contribution of beer, wine or liquor/mixed drinks kcal/d to energy intake from alcoholic beverages at each survey year and are calculated at the person level; percentages are the mean percent contribution and may differ from percentages calculated by the population ratio method. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. ^a Significantly different than 1989–1991 (P<0.001); ^b Within year different than beer (p<0.05); ^c Within year different than wine (p<0.05).

Figure 2. Per consumer percentage contribution of alcoholic beverages by type to total alcoholic beverage energy intake A) overall, and by B) age group, C) sex, and D) education level, 1989–2012

Data for adults (≥19 y) who reported alcoholic beverage consumption on day 1 of diet assessment from the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) 1989–91, CSFII 1994–1996, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003–2006, and NHANES 2009–2012. Percentages indicate the contribution of beer, wine or liquor/mixed drinks kcal/d to energy intake from alcoholic beverages at each survey year. Differences were considered statistically significant at P<0.05, after Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. ^a Significantly different than 1989–1991 (p<0.001); ^b Within year different than beer (p<0.05); ^c Within year different than wine (p<0.05). ^d HS, High school