Longitudinal dimensions of alcohol consumption and dietary intake in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort (1971-2008)

Existing studies addressing alcohol consumption have not captured the multidimensionality of drinking patterns, including drinking frequency, binge drinking, beverage preference and changes in these measures across the adult life course. We examined longitudinal trends in drinking patterns and their association with diet over four decades in ageing US adults from the Framingham Offspring Study (n 4956; baseline mean age 36 center dot 2 years). Alcohol intake (drinks/week, drinking frequency, beverage-specific consumption, drinks/occasion) was assessed quadrennially from examinations 1 to 8. Participants were classified as binge drinkers, moderate drinkers or heavy drinkers (4+ and 5+ drinks/occasion; <= 1 and <= 2 drinks/d and >7 and >14 drinks/week for women and men, respectively). Dietary data were collected by a FFQ from examinations 5 to 8 (1991-2008). We evaluated trends in drinking patterns using linear mixed effect models and compared dietary intake across drinking patterns using heterogeneous variance models. Alcohol consumption decreased from 1971 to 2008 (3 center dot 7 v. 2 center dot 2 oz/week; P < 0 center dot 05). The proportion of moderate (66 v. 59 center dot 3 %), heavy (18 center dot 4 v. 10 center dot 5 %) and binge drinkers (40 center dot 0 v. 12 center dot 3 %) declined (P < 0 center dot 05). While average wine consumption increased (1 center dot 4 v. 2 center dot 2 drinks/week), beer (3 center dot 4 v. 1 center dot 5 drinks/week) and cocktail intake (2 center dot 8 v. 1 center dot 2 drinks/week) decreased. Non-binge drinkers consumed less sugary drinks and more whole grains than binge drinkers, and the latter consumed more total fat across all examinations (P < 0 center dot 05). There was a significant difference in consumption trends of total grains by drinking level (P < 0 center dot 05). In conclusion, alcohol drinking patterns are unstable throughout adulthood. Higher intakes were generally associated with poorer diets. These analyses support the nuanced characterisation of alcohol consumption in epidemiological studies.

Automated summary

This study found that drinking patterns are unstable throughout adulthood, with higher alcohol intake generally associated with poorer diets. Understanding the impact of drinking patterns on diet and health can provide valuable insights into alcohol consumption and reducing adverse health effects.