[Alcohol--risk factor for overweight].

Overweight is accepted as risk factor for various diseases such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias and cardiovascular diseases. In this study the correlation of alcohol consumption and overweight was investigated among members of the Swiss association of inn keepers and hotel managers (Gastrosuisse). A questionnaire was mailed to all members of the Gastrosuisse in the cantons of Zürich, Graubünden, and the German speaking part of Freiburg. The following parameters were assessed: sex, birth date, weight, height, and cardiovascular risk factors. The frequency of alcohol consumption per week, the type and amount of alcoholic beverage (wine, beer, liquor) consumed for each drinking occasion were asked for. The daily alcohol intake (g/d) was computed. The health status, physical activity levels at work and for recreational activities, tendency for abdominal fat accumulation, self-judged stress, fat content of the diet were assessed with visual analogue scales. The present analysis was limited to non-smoking men (n = 573). A j-shaped relationship was found between alcohol consumption and the body weight: the lowest body weight was found in subjects with a mean daily consumption between 13 and 36 g/d (26.3 +/- 0.3 and 26.2 +/- 0.4 kg/m2, mean +/- sem). Non-consumers and subjects with an intake > 36 g/d had a higher body weight. The relationship was independent of age and physical activity levels as well as the beverage type. Limiting the analysis to daily alcohol consumers only a linear relationship was found. Our data suggest that alcohol consumption, especially daily consumption, should be regarded as a risk factor for an increased body weight and obesity.