Alcohol consumption and body weight: a systematic review

Abstract

Based on the fact that energy content in 1 gram of alcohol is 29 kJ or 7.1 kcal, alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain. The present review was conducted to analyze the effects of alcohol consumption on body weight. A search of the Medline database for the period 1984 to March 2010 was conducted to identify cross-sectional, prospective cohort studies and intervention trials investigating the relationship between alcohol consumption and the risk of weight gain. Thirty-one publications were selected on the basis of relevance and quality of design and methods. The findings from large cross-sectional studies as well as from well-powered, prospective, cohort studies with long periods of follow-up were contradictory. Findings from short-term experimental trials also did not show a clear trend. The overall results do not conclusively confirm a positive association between alcohol consumption and weight gain; however, positive findings between alcohol intake and weight gain have been reported, mainly from studies with data on higher levels of drinking. It is, therefore, possible that heavy drinkers may experience such an effect more commonly than light drinkers. Moreover, light-to-moderate alcohol intake, especially wine intake, may be more likely to protect against weight gain, whereas consumption of spirits has been positively associated with weight gain. Further research should be directed towards assessing the specific roles of different types of alcoholic beverages. Studies should also take the effect of consumption patterns into account. In addition, a potential effect modifier that has not been evaluated before but might be important to consider is the subjects' previous tendency to gain weight.

Overweight and Obesity Conditions: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Nursing Students in a Public University in Medellín, Colombia

“…Furthermore, it is known that individuals who are overweight and smoke increase the risk of developing some noncommunicable chronic diseases, among them cardiovascular diseases. (15) With respect to alcohol consumption, the study shows its association to excess weight, as it has also been shown by the systematic review by Sayon et al, (16) on this theme.…”

Determinants of body mass index by gender in the Dikgale Health and Demographic Surveillance System site, South Africa

“…Evidence on the relationship of alcohol use and BMI is conflicting, with studies reporting no associations [64], positive associations [65] and negative associations [66]. However, a recent review by Traversy and Chaput (2015) [67] suggests that variations in this relationship may be a result of differences in the types of alcohol consumed, amount of alcohol per occasion, frequency of drinking and the differences in the alcohol metabolism between age groups.…”

Alcohol: Effects on Nutritional Status, Lipid Profile and Blood Pressure

“…Actually, some studies, in both men [49] and women [35,47], found no associations. Different patterns of consumption may be related to different outcomes [50].…”