This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/may/22/alcohol-consumption-in-england-is-underestimated-says-study
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Forgotten holidays and lost birthdays leave English drinking underestimated | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Alcohol consumption in England has been underestimated by the equivalent of 12m bottles of wine a week because surveys turn a “blind eye” to drinks swigged during holidays, weddings and birthdays, researchers have warned. | Alcohol consumption in England has been underestimated by the equivalent of 12m bottles of wine a week because surveys turn a “blind eye” to drinks swigged during holidays, weddings and birthdays, researchers have warned. |
| Most research focuses on “typical drinking” and does not account for alcohol-heavy celebrations, according to scientists at Liverpool John Moores University, an oversight they claim could have important implications for public health. | Most research focuses on “typical drinking” and does not account for alcohol-heavy celebrations, according to scientists at Liverpool John Moores University, an oversight they claim could have important implications for public health. |
| Their findings – based on normal drinking patterns and those outside usual circumstances – suggest every week the equivalent of over three-quarters of a bottle of wine for every drinker goes unaccounted for. | Their findings – based on normal drinking patterns and those outside usual circumstances – suggest every week the equivalent of over three-quarters of a bottle of wine for every drinker goes unaccounted for. |
| Lead scientist Dr Mark Bellis said: “The problem is that surveys usually ask about typical drinking. This means summer holidays, bank holidays, weddings and many other special occasions when consumption often increases are left out. | Lead scientist Dr Mark Bellis said: “The problem is that surveys usually ask about typical drinking. This means summer holidays, bank holidays, weddings and many other special occasions when consumption often increases are left out. |
| “As a result, nationally we underestimate how much we drink and as individuals we can turn a blind eye to our heavier drinking periods when we calculate personal consumption. | “As a result, nationally we underestimate how much we drink and as individuals we can turn a blind eye to our heavier drinking periods when we calculate personal consumption. |
| “For many people though, these sessions add substantial amounts of alcohol to their annual consumption and inevitably increase their risks of developing alcohol-related ill-health.” | “For many people though, these sessions add substantial amounts of alcohol to their annual consumption and inevitably increase their risks of developing alcohol-related ill-health.” |
| Drinking alcohol is related to about 200 different health conditions and in 2012 was responsible for 3.3m deaths worldwide. | Drinking alcohol is related to about 200 different health conditions and in 2012 was responsible for 3.3m deaths worldwide. |
| The researchers, whose findings are reported in the journal BMC Medicine, conducted telephone interviews with 6,085 randomly selected members of the public in England. | The researchers, whose findings are reported in the journal BMC Medicine, conducted telephone interviews with 6,085 randomly selected members of the public in England. |
| Most categories of drinkers, based on age groups and levels of typical consumption, reported increased consumption during holidays or special occasions. The biggest increase was seen in 25- to 35-year-olds, who had the highest level of typical consumption. | Most categories of drinkers, based on age groups and levels of typical consumption, reported increased consumption during holidays or special occasions. The biggest increase was seen in 25- to 35-year-olds, who had the highest level of typical consumption. |
| People in this drinking category drank an extra 18 units (144 grams) of alcohol a week on special occasions. | People in this drinking category drank an extra 18 units (144 grams) of alcohol a week on special occasions. |
| James Nicholls, from Alcohol Research UK, said: “Patterns of consumption have a significant influence on the health impacts of alcohol. | James Nicholls, from Alcohol Research UK, said: “Patterns of consumption have a significant influence on the health impacts of alcohol. |
| For instance, it is widely recognised that any protective effects of moderate drinking on the heart are cancelled out by heavy drinking episodes.” | For instance, it is widely recognised that any protective effects of moderate drinking on the heart are cancelled out by heavy drinking episodes.” |