Israel 2000: immigration and gender differences in alcohol consumption

The present study addresses the association between immigration from the former Soviet Union (FSU) and gender and alcohol consumption among a representative sample of young adults in Israel 2000. Previous studies that were conducted on FSU immigrants to Israel indicate higher consumption than that of resident Israelis and immigrants of earlier periods. The current study aims to assess alcohol consumption among FSU and resident Israelis five years later to determine whether the discrepancy in alcohol consumption stays consistent or reduces. In addition, gender differences in alcohol consumption among the Israeli society were examined as well, as a special case of socio-culture differences. The data came from the 2000 national survey of drinking in Israel. Of 5,004 Jewish Israelis, 532 were immigrants from the FSU who arrived since 1989, and 4,472 were resident Israelis. The FSU group was compared with resident Israelis, and males were compared to females on several drinking variables. Logistic regression was the principal method of analysis. Demographics and cultural variables as main effects or in interaction with FSU and gender were controlled. The FSU group was significantly more likely to report drinking in the last twelve months plus drinking in the last thirty days than resident Israelis. Women's reported drinking in the last twelve months was one fourth of men's and during the past thirty days was one fifth of men's. Further investigation on the associations between the success of FSU acculturation in the Israeli society and drinking patterns as well as attitudes toward women and gender differences in alcohol consumption may provide explanations for gender and immigration gaps in alcohol consumption.     

Cohort effects on gender differences in alcohol dependence

Aims The present study investigated the presence of cohort effects on gender differences in the course, severity and symptomatology of DSM‐III‐R alcohol dependence in a community‐based sample. Design A comparison of substance‐related variables among men and women divided into two groups based on the median birth year of the sample was conducted. Participants Participants were 468 men and 132 women with life‐time alcohol dependence, the vast majority of whom were born between 1941 and 1960. Measurements Substance use and DSM‐III‐R substance use disorders were assessed by a structured interview administered in person. Findings Individuals born after 1951 had higher rates of alcohol dependence. Among individuals with alcohol dependence, those born after 1951 had an earlier onset and longer duration of alcohol‐related problems. Significant interactions indicated that these effects were stronger for women than men. Conclusions Risk for alcohol dependence appears to be rising in younger generations, and particularly for younger women, making them an important target group for prevention and treatment programs.     

Gender differences in alcohol consumption: effects of measurement

Data from a 1988 survey of US drinking habits and related problems revealed differences in male and female patterns of alcohol consumption. Men were more likely than women to be current drinkers (64 v. 41%), and beer accounted for a larger proportion of their overall intake. Men's average daily ethanol intake was about twice as high as that of women, 17.5 v. 8.9 g. Adjustment for differences in body weight and composition substantially reduced the male-to-female ratio of consumption. Men were more likely than women to be classified as heavy drinkers, and the excess proportion of males so categorized increased with the severity of the measure of heavy drinking.     

Should alcohol consumption measures be adjusted for gender differences?

Because of biological differences between men and women, the same quantity of alcohol consumed over the same time period produces higher blood alcohol levels (BALs) in women than in men. Some alcohol researchers have proposed that quantity and volume measures of alcohol consumption (e.g. usual number of drinks per drinking day and overall amount of alcohol consumed) should be adjusted to reflect these biological differences. To date, no standard adjustment for biological gender differences has been adopted. In this paper, we review the literature on biological and behavioral differences related to alcohol consumption and effects and discuss the implications of these differences in terms of adjusting alcohol consumption measures. Our review suggests that adjusting measures of alcohol consumption to compensate for biological sex differences is most appropriate for research or policy applications involving the short and long-term physiological effects of alcohol in contexts where gender differences in how alcohol is consumed can be assumed to be minimal. In other circumstances, non-biological gender differences relating to alcohol use, such as pace of drinking, may moderate the relationship between alcohol consumption and biological gender differences, making an adjustment less defensible. We also identify areas where more knowledge is needed not only to address the issue of adjusting alcohol measures for gender differences but also to understand better the relationship between alcohol consumption and effects.     

Environmental influences on alcohol consumption practices of alcoholic beverage servers

Public drinking establishments have long been associated with heavy drinking among both their patrons and servers. Whether these environments represent locations where heavy drinking is learned (learning hypothesis) or simply places where already-heavy drinkers gather in a supportive environment (selection hypothesis) remains an important question. A sample of licensed alcoholic beverage servers in the state of Indiana, USA, was surveyed to better understand the drinking behaviors of servers within the alcohol service industry. Responses (N = 938) to a mailed questionnaire were analyzed to assess the relative influence of environmental and demographic factors on the drinking behavior of servers. Stepwise regression revealed "drinking on the job" as the most influential environmental factor on heavy drinking behaviors, followed by age and gender as influential demographic factors. Support was found for the selection hypothesis, but not for the learning hypothesis. Policy implications are discussed. factors on the drinking behavior of servers. Stepwise regression revealed "drinking on the job" as the most influential environmental factor on heavy drinking behaviors, followed by age and gender as influential demographic factors. Support was found for the selection hypothesis, but not for the learning hypothesis. Policy implications are discussed.     

Birth cohort effects and gender differences in alcohol epidemiology: a review and synthesis

Background: Alcohol consumption has demonstrated substantial temporal trends, with some evidence suggesting strong birth cohort effects. The identification of at‐risk birth cohorts can inform the interpretation of alcohol trends across age, time, and demographic characteristics such as gender. The present literature review has 2 objectives. First, we conduct a cross‐national review of the literature on birth cohort differences in alcohol consumption, disorder, and mortality. Second, we determine the consistency of evidence for birth cohort effects on gender differences. Methods: A search was conducted and key data on population characteristics, presence and direction of cohort effects, and interactions with gender compiled. Thirty‐one articles were included. Results: Evidence suggests that younger birth cohorts in North America, especially those born after World War II, are more likely than older cohorts to engage in heavy episodic drinking and develop alcohol disorders, but this cohort effect is not found in Australia and western Europe. Cross‐nationally, substantial evidence indicates that women in younger cohorts are at especially high risk for heavy episodic drinking and alcohol disorders. Discussion: Younger birth cohorts in North America and Europe are engaging in more episodic and problem drinking. The gender gap in alcohol problems is narrowing in many countries, suggesting shifting social norms surrounding gender and alcohol consumption. These trends suggest that public health efforts to specifically target heavy drinking in women are necessary.     

The effect of alcohol beverage restrictions on consumption: a 25-year longitudinal analysis

This project analyzed the impact of state regulation and control measures on per capita apparent distilled spirits consumption using a 25-year period, 1955-1980. The project was an effort to determine if statistically significant associations between regulation of spirits and per capita consumption could be found for the 48 states of the continental United States. A series of regression models was employed to obtain estimates of the effects of a set of independent variables, including alcoholic beverage control laws, price and price-related variables, and social/cultural control variables on apparent distilled spirits consumption. Most previous studies of the relationship of restrictions on spirits availability have led to a belief that control efforts have little or no impact on per capita consumption. This study was undertaken with the expectation of similar findings. What was found instead was that certain laws and regulations do seem to play a significant role in holding down distilled spirits consumption. The regression models developed predict a decrease of about two drinks per month per person if the state was to shift its regulatory laws (including the price of liquor, which is not always subject to regulation) from being relatively loose to being relatively strict. This decrease in drinking would cut down the level of consumption in the median state by nearly one-fourth.     

Morphological and biochemical effects of weekend alcohol consumption in rats: Role of concentration and gender

AIM To examine the association between weekend alcohol consumption and the biochemical and histological alterations at two different concentrations of alcohol in both genders in rats.METHODS Wistar rats weighing 170-200 g were divided into groups as follows:(1) Control groups; and(2) weekend alcohol-consumption group: 2 d/weekly per 12 wk, at two different concentrations:(1) Group of males or females with a consumption of a solution of alcohol at 40%; and(2) group of males or females with a consumption of a solution of alcohol at 5%. At the end of the experiment, serum and liver samples were obtained. The following enzymes and metabolites were determined in serum: Alanine Aminotransferase(ALT), Aspartate Aminotransferase(AST), Lactate Dehydrogenase, and Gamma-Glutamyltransferase, and glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, bilirubin, and albumin. Liver samples from each group were employed to analyze morphological abnormalities by light microscopy.RESULTS In all of the weekend alcohol-consumption groups, AST activity presented a significant, 10-fold rise. Regarding ALT activity, the groups with weekend alcohol consumption presented a significant increase that was six times greater. Bilirubin levels increased significantly in both groups of females. We observed a significant increase in the parameters of fatty change and inflammation due to weekend alcohol consumption. Only the group of females that consumed alcohol at 40% presented slight hepatocel ular disorganization CONCLUSION The results obtained herein provide solid evidence that weekend alcohol consumption gives rise to liver damage, demonstrated by biochemical and histological alterations, first manifested acutely, and prolonged weekend alcohol consumption can cause greater, irreversible damage.     

Patterns of alcohol consumption after liver transplantation

Background—Uncertainty exists aboutthe extent and consequences of a return to alcohol consumption afterliver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease (ALD).
Aims—To determine the prevalenceand consequences of alcohol consumption in patients transplanted for ALD.
Methods—A retrospective casecontrolled study of all patients transplanted for ALD at the QueenElizabeth Hospital, Birmingham, between 1987 and 1996.
Results—Seventy patients with ALDwere transplanted, of which 59 survived more than three months; 56 wereinterviewed. Twenty eight had consumed some alcohol aftertransplantation; for the nine "heavy drinkers" (HD), the mediantime to resumption of alcohol intake was six months and for the 19 "moderate drinkers" (MD) it was eight months. There was nosignificant difference in episodes of acute rejection or compliancewith medication between those who were abstinent, MD, or HD.Histological evidence of liver injury was common in ALD patients whohad returned to drink. Mild fatty change was found in 1/11 biopsyspecimens from abstinent patients but moderate to severe fatty changeand ballooned hepatocytes were seen in 3/5 MD and 2/5 HD specimens. TwoHD patients had early fibrosis. One HD patient has died of alcoholrelated complications.
Conclusions—Moderate to heavyalcohol consumption occurs in patients transplanted for ALD. Patientrecall of abstinence advice is unreliable, and patients return toalcohol mainly within the first year after liver transplantation.Return to alcohol consumption after liver transplantation is associatedwith rapid development of histological liver injury including fibrosis.

Keywords:alcohol consumption; liver transplantation

     

Cardiovascular risk profile and type of alcohol beverage consumption: a population-based study

AIMS: To determine the association between several cardiovascular risk factors with total alcohol and types of alcoholic beverage consumption. METHODS: The subjects were Spanish men (n = 2,383) and women (n = 2,535) aged 25-74 years who were examined in 1994-1995 and 1999-2000, in two population-based cross-sectional surveys in the north-east of Spain (Gerona). Information of total amount and type of alcohol consumption, educational level, smoking, leisure-time physical, antihypertensive and hyperlipidemic drug treatment was obtained through structured questionnaires. The cardiovascular risk factors total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, fibrinogen, lipoprotein (a), heart rate and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were determined. RESULTS: Men consumed significantly more alcohol than women (19.5 vs. 4.5 g/day, respectively) and the prevalence of elevated alcohol consumption (>2 glasses of wine/day) also was higher in men (35.3%) than women (3.5%). Total alcohol intake was significantly related with HDL cholesterol and fibrinogen improvements in both genders. In contrast, total cholesterol, triglycerides, heart rate, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were directly and significantly (p < 0.05) associated with total alcohol consumption in men but not in women. Wine drinking, particularly in women, was associated with a healthy cardiovascular risk profile. Most of the observed significant associations between type of alcohol beverage and CHD risk factors disappeared after controlling for total alcohol consumption and other confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumption was favorably related to the cardiovascular risk profile in women but not in men. The relationship of alcohol beverages seems to be mediated by the total alcohol content rather than by the type of beverage itself.     

Cardiovascular effects of alcohol consumption

Alcohol consumption has a major but complex impact on cardiovascular diseases. Both irregular and chronic heavy drinking occasions detrimentally impact on most major cardiovascular disease categories, whereas light to moderate drinking has been associated with beneficial effects on ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke. Both detrimental and beneficial effects of alcohol consumption have been corroborated by biochemical pathways. The impact of alcohol consumption on cardiovascular disease should be evaluated within the context of other effects of alcohol on health.     

饮酒方式与代谢综合征

以心血管危险因素、腹型肥胖、血脂异常、高血糖和高血压为特点的代谢综合征已成为世界范围内的一个主要公众健康问题.     

Investigating gender differences in alcohol problems: a latent trait modeling approach

BACKGROUND: Inconsistent results have been found in research investigating gender differences in alcohol problems. Previous studies of gender differences used a wide range of methodological techniques, as well as limited assortments of alcohol problems. METHODS: Parents (1,348 men and 1,402 women) of twins enrolled in the Minnesota Twin Family Study answered questions about a wide range of alcohol problems. A latent trait modeling technique was used to evaluate gender differences in the probability of endorsement at the problem level and for the overall 105-problem scale. RESULTS: Of the 34 problems that showed significant gender differences, 29 were more likely to be endorsed by men than women with equivalent overall alcohol problem levels. These male-oriented symptoms included measures of heavy drinking, duration of drinking, tolerance, and acting out behaviors. Nineteen symptoms were denoted for removal to create a scale that favored neither gender in assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Significant gender differences were found in approximately one-third of the symptoms assessed and in the overall scale. Further examination of the nature of gender differences in alcohol problem symptoms should be undertaken to investigate whether a gender-neutral scale should be created or if men and women should be assessed with separate criteria for alcohol dependence and abuse.     

Gender differences in alcohol consumption in Mexico City]

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of the present study were: 1) To corroborate the increase in alcohol consumption in the female population registered by results from the National Surveys on Addictions (ENA), 1988 and 1993; and 2) to determine affected age groups, and obtain basic information on age of onset, amount consumed per event and drunkenness frequency in the adult population of Mexico City, as indicators to orient preventive measures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A multi-stage, stratified household survey was applied. A total of 1,932 interviews was completed, subjects were between 18 and 65 years of age, with a response rate of 60.4%. The instrument was a modified version of the Composite International Psychiatric Interview (CIDI), which is a highly structured instrument, applicable by non-specialized personnel, although limited training is necessary. The alcohol section included questions on the age of the first drink, the frequency and amount consumed during each event and the drunkenness frequency during the last 12 months, among other variables. Median and percentage were obtained by sex and among age-cohorts. RESULTS: Of the total, 96.5% of men and 18.1% of women have consumed at least one drink in their lives. In average, age of onset is 16 years for men, and 18 years for women. Age group comparisons show a clear tendency to begin drinking at an earlier age, particularly in women. The growing trend indicated by ENA with respect to alcohol consumption in the feminine population and at a younger age was corroborated. Results indicated that, in average, 5 years after the age of onset, both men and women reach their highest quantities of alcohol consumption, which tend to be excessive. Additionally, high-risk drinking among women (five or more drinks per event) increased to be four times higher in a period of seven years, and with an apparent tendency to rise. Sixty percent of the drinking population reduced alcohol consumption before the age of 30, however, the remaining 40% continued to drink at the same rate, or even increased consumption, particularly among women. CONCLUSIONS: The age of onset of alcohol consumption has diminished, especially in women, showing tendencies towards abuse. Preventive programs should predominantly focus on young age groups with emphasis on the feminine population.     

Gender differences in alcohol consumption and adverse drinking consequences: cross-cultural patterns

Aims: To examine the consistency and/or variability of gender differences in drinking behavior crossculturally. Design, setting, participants: Women's and men's responses in 16 general population surveys from 10 countries, analyzed by members of the International Research Group on Gender and Alcohol. Measurements: Comparable measures of drinking, versus abstention, typical drinking frequencies and quantities, heavy episodic drinking, intoxication, morning drinking, and alcohol-related family and occupational problems. Findings: Women and men differed little in the probability of currently drinking versus abstaining, but men consistently exceeded women in typical drinking frequencies and quantities and in rates of heavy drinking episodes and adverse drinking consequences, while women were consistently more likely than men to be life-time abstainers. In older age groups, both men and women drank smaller quantities of alcohol and were more likely to stop drinking altogether, but drinking frequencies did not change consistently with age. Conclusions: A theoretical synthesis proposes that gender roles may amplify biological differences in reactions to alcohol, and that gender differences in drinking behavior may be modified by macrosocial factors that modify gender role contrasts.     

The effects of order of questions on reported alcohol consumption

This research note draws upon the US National Longitudinal Survey (NLS) of Labor Market Experience among youths aged 17–24 to report the effects of variation in the ordering of alcohol questions upon the prevalence of heavier drinking. A secondary analysis of the NLS indicated a substantial decrease in the prevalence of heavier drinking between 1984 and 1985 which is attributed to the order of presentation of two differently styled questions regarding heavier drinking.     

Unrecorded alcohol consumption: its economics and its effects on alcohol control in the Nordic countries

The starting point of this paper is the fact that no country has complete records of alcohol consumption. In addition to being a matter or statistical accuracy, unrecorded alcohol also plays an important role in alcohol policy discussions. Furthermore, its quantity is bound to basic economic laws. These latter two aspects are the main interest in this paper, which discusses, first, what is really meant by unrecorded alcohol consumption and what kind of categories are included in it. The next task is to discuss the economics of different categories of unrecorded alcohol and the mechanisms which lead to increases or decreases in them. The examples in this part of the paper come from the Nordic countries. Arguments about increased smuggling and illegal distilling have always been used against alcohol policy restrictions in the Nordic countries. Recently the level of travellers' alcohol imports and border trade have also been used for the same purpose. In the European Union the task to harmonize alcohol excise taxes is partly given to increased travellers' duty-free allowances and market forces. This policy has already led to reductions in alcohol taxation both in Denmark and Sweden.