The impact of a population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on alcohol intake: the Inter99 study

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PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of screening and five years of multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on changes in alcohol intake in a general population. METHODS: The study was a pre-randomized intervention study on lifestyle, Inter99 (1999-2006), Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants in the intervention group (n=6 091) had at baseline a medical health examination and a face-to-face lifestyle counselling. Individuals at high risk of ischemic heart disease were repeatedly offered both individual and group-based counselling. The control group (n=3 324) was followed by questionnaires. Alcohol intake was measured by questionnaires. Changes were analysed by multilevel analyses. RESULTS: Binge drinking decreased both in men and women at three and five-year follow-ups (men: five-year: net-change:-0.13; p=0.03; women: five-year: net-change:-0.08; p=0.04). Furthermore, in women the ratio between wine and total alcohol was increased compared with the control group at five-year follow-up (net-change: 0.04; p<0.01). In men with a high intake of alcohol (>21 drinks per week) the effect on total alcohol intake was maintained at five-year follow-up (net-change: -3.7; p=0.01). No significant effects were found in women on total alcohol intake. CONCLUSION: Multi-factorial lifestyle intervention, including low intensity alcohol intervention, improved long-term alcohol habits in a general population.
Original languageEnglish
JournalPreventive Medicine
Volume49
Issue number2-3
Pages (from-to)115-21
Number of pages7
ISSN0091-7435
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Bibliographical note

Keywords: Adult; Alcohol Drinking; Alcohol-Related Disorders; Cohort Studies; Denmark; Directive Counseling; Female; Humans; Life Style; Male; Middle Aged; Myocardial Ischemia; Questionnaires; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors

DA - 20090928IS - 1096-0260 (Electronic)IS - 1096-0260 (Linking)LA - engPT - Journal ArticleSB - IM

ID: 20647348