Rosario Asciutto1, Alessandra Lugo2, Roberta Pacifici3, Paolo Colombo4, Matteo Rota5, Carlo La Vecchia2, Silvano Gallus6. 1. Department of Sciences for the Health Promotion and Mother and Child Care 'G. D'Alessandro', Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy. 2. Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy. 3. Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicines Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. 4. Istituto DOXA, Worldwide Independent Network/Gallup International Association (WIN/GIA), Milan, Italy. 5. Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milan, Italy. 6. Department of Epidemiology, IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche 'Mario Negri', Milan, Italy silvano.gallus@marionegri.it.
Abstract
AIMS: In Italy, sales data show a dramatic fall in alcohol consumption between 1970 and 2010. The aim of our study is to provide updated information on trends, prevalence and determinants of alcohol drinking in Italy, using individual-level data. METHODS: Seven nationally representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Italy between 2006 and 2014, on a total sample of 21,416 participants aged ≥15 years, with available information on weekly consumption of wine, beer and spirits. RESULTS: Per capita alcohol consumption decreased by 23% between 2006 and 2014 (from 5.6 to 4.4 drinks/week), due to the fall in wine drinking. Overall, the prevalence of alcohol drinkers was 61.6%. Individuals predominantly drinking wine were 35.3%, beer 11.1% and spirits 6.4%. A direct trend of drinking with age was observed for total alcohol (multivariate odds ratio, OR = 1.75 for ≥65 vs. 15-24 years) and predominant wine drinking (OR = 8.05), while an inverse trend was observed for beer (OR = 0.17) and spirit drinkers (OR = 0.33). Women (OR = 0.24), obese individuals (OR = 0.67) and those from southern Italy (OR = 0.63) were less frequently, while those with high education (OR = 1.97), ex- (OR = 1.46) and current smokers (OR = 2.17) were more frequently alcohol drinkers. CONCLUSION: On the basis of individual-level data we confirm and further update to 2014 the decreasing trend in alcohol consumption in Italy over the last few decades, mainly due to the fall in wine consumption. This may be due to anti-alcohol policies, programs and campaigns adopted and developed over the last decade. It also reflects socio-cultural changes in drinking, particularly in younger generations.
AIMS: In Italy, sales data show a dramatic fall in alcohol consumption between 1970 and 2010. The aim of our study is to provide updated information on trends, prevalence and determinants of alcohol drinking in Italy, using individual-level data. METHODS: Seven nationally representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted in Italy between 2006 and 2014, on a total sample of 21,416 participants aged ≥15 years, with available information on weekly consumption of wine, beer and spirits. RESULTS: Per capita alcohol consumption decreased by 23% between 2006 and 2014 (from 5.6 to 4.4 drinks/week), due to the fall in wine drinking. Overall, the prevalence of alcohol drinkers was 61.6%. Individuals predominantly drinking wine were 35.3%, beer 11.1% and spirits 6.4%. A direct trend of drinking with age was observed for total alcohol (multivariate odds ratio, OR = 1.75 for ≥65 vs. 15-24 years) and predominant wine drinking (OR = 8.05), while an inverse trend was observed for beer (OR = 0.17) and spirit drinkers (OR = 0.33). Women (OR = 0.24), obese individuals (OR = 0.67) and those from southern Italy (OR = 0.63) were less frequently, while those with high education (OR = 1.97), ex- (OR = 1.46) and current smokers (OR = 2.17) were more frequently alcohol drinkers. CONCLUSION: On the basis of individual-level data we confirm and further update to 2014 the decreasing trend in alcohol consumption in Italy over the last few decades, mainly due to the fall in wine consumption. This may be due to anti-alcohol policies, programs and campaigns adopted and developed over the last decade. It also reflects socio-cultural changes in drinking, particularly in younger generations.
Authors: Silvano Gallus; Luca Paroni; Dino Re; Riccardo Aiuto; Davide Maria Battaglia; Rolando Crippa; Nicolò Carugo; Matteo Beretta; Lorenzo Balsano; Luigi Paglia Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-04-02 Impact factor: 3.390