Korean J Obes.  2015 Dec;24(4):206-211. 10.7570/kjo.2015.24.4.206.

Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Obesity according to Facial Flushing in Korean Males

• Suh WY
• Kim SS
• Kim JS
• Yoon SJ
• Paik SC
• Yang JS

• KMID: 2133214
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7570/kjo.2015.24.4.206

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study was performed to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and obesity according to facial flushing in Korean males.
METHODS
The 1,198 men in this study were divided into four groups according to the amount of alcohol they consumed: non-drinkers (ND), lower moderate drinkers (LM, < or =7 standard drinks per week), higher moderate drinkers (HM, 7 to 14 drinks per week), and heavy drinkers (HD, >14 drinks per week). They were also separated into two groups according to facial flushing: non-flushers and flushers. Obesity and abdominal obesity were defined as body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or higher and waist circumference of 90 cm or higher, respectively.
RESULTS
In LM and HM groups without flushing, the risks of obesity and abdominal obesity were not significantly increased compared to those of non-drinkers. However, in the HD group without flushing, those risks were significantly increased [OR, 1.55; confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 2.40, and OR 1.63; CI 1.02 to 2.58, respectively]. In the LM group with flushing, those risks were not significantly increased. However, in HM and HD groups with flushing, the risks of obesity and abdominal obesity were significantly increased (OR, 2.10; CI, 1.07 to 4.16, and OR, 2.06; CI, 1.05 to 4.06, respectively, in HM; and OR, 2.16; CI, 1.08 to 4.34, and OR, 2.50; CI, 1.26 to 4.98, respectively, in HD).
CONCLUSION
This study suggests that the risk of obesity is increased in moderate flushing drinkers compared to non-drinkers and in heavy non-flushing drinkers.

Keyword

Alcohol; Flushing; Obesity

MeSH Terms

Alcohol Drinking*
Body Mass Index
Flushing*
Humans
Male*
Obesity*
Obesity, Abdominal
Waist Circumference