Small amounts of alcohol linked with reduced obesity

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that those who drink small amounts of alcohol regularly are less likely to be obese than those who do not drink at all.
Alcohol is full of calories and is no friend to those trying to lose weight! But there are surprising results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey which researchers at Texas Tech University now report. They looked at a group of 8,236 participants and found that nearly half consumed at least one drink a month. They defined those taking four or more drinks a day as 'heavy drinkers' and then looked at the links between drinking and obesity.

The current drinkers had a 0.73 times lower chance of being obese than the non-drinkers. Those who had less than five drinks a week - but one or two drinks regularly - were significantly less likely to be obese than the non-drinkers. The heavy drinkers, though, were 46 per cent more likely to be obese than the non-drinkers. As ever with studies showing the health benefits of alcohol, the findings shouldn't lead non-drinkers to start drinking. But moderate drinkers may be more likely to keep to a healthy weight - especially if they also enjoy a good diet.

Source
BMC Public Health 5th December 2005 Volume 5 page 126

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