Drinking patterns and adherence to "low-risk" guidelines among community-residing older adults

Abstract

Background: Older adults constitute a rapidly expanding proportion of the U.S.

Population: Contemporary studies note the increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption in this group. Thus, understanding alcohol effects, consumption patterns, and associated risks in aging populations constitute critical areas of study with increasing public health relevance.

Methods: Participants (n = 643; 292 women; ages 21-70) were community residing adult volunteers. Primary measures of interest included four patterns of alcohol consumption (average [oz./day]; typical quantity [oz./occasion]; frequency [% drinking days]; and maximal quantity [oz.]). Regression analyses explored associations between these measures, age, and relevant covariates. Subsequent between-group analyses investigated differences between two groups of older adults and a comparator group of younger adults, their adherance to "low-risk" guidelines, and whether alcohol-associated risks differed by age and adherence pattern.

Results: Average consumption did not vary by age or differ between age groups. In contrast, markedly higher frequencies and lower quantities of consumption were observed with increasing age. These differences persisted across adherence categories and were evident even in the oldest age group. Exceeding "low-risk" guidelines was associated with greater risk for alcohol-related problems among the older groups.

Conclusions: These results emphasize the utility of considering underlying constituent patterns of consumption in older drinkers. Findings highlight difficulties in identifying problem drinking among older adults and contribute to the few characterizations of "risky" drinking patterns in this group. Taken together, our data contribute to literatures of import for the design and enhancement of screening, prevention, and education initiatives directed toward aging adults.

Keywords: Aging; Alcohol; Drinking patterns; Frequency; Quantity.

Fig. 1.

Drinking Behaviors by Age and NIAAA Guideline Adherence. Data reflect means and standard errors for all consumption measures. Fig. 1A. No age effects or age interactions were noted for average consumption levels. Fig. 1B. Quantity analyses revealed age effects, with younger individuals consuming greater amounts than older groups. Fig. 1C. Frequency analyses revealed age effects, with younger individuals reporting fewer drinking days. An age by adherence interaction was detected, which appeared driven by disproportionally higher drinking frequency among drinkers 65+ who exceeded both guidelines. Fig. 1D. Younger adults consumed larger maximal quantities relative to older adults. An age by adherence interaction was observed, characterized by substantially larger maximal consumption amounts among younger, relative to older, drinkers exceeding both guidelines. Note: Although analyses were conducted between low-risk drinkers and those exceeding guidelines separately, these data are presented together to enhance interpretation and comparison of drinking patterns across adherence categories.