Alcohol Consumption, Essay Example

The current paper examines peer-reviewed journal article that investigated risk factors associated alcohol consumption and frequency of alcohol consumption in men and women. The purpose of the study is to support the hypothesis that increased alcohol drinking frequency is associated with a decreased mortality rate in people that consume a lower dose of alcohol. Data for this project was obtained from a 2008 Behavioral Risk Surveillance System survey. The survey contained risk factors from adult men who consumed less than two drinks per day and women who consumed less than one drink per day.  The results of the study showed that individuals who consumed alcohol less frequently, but in larger amounts, were more likely to be associated with the risks exceeding the US Dietary Guidelines of drinking limits.  In addition, it was found that drinkers who drank less frequently and at high dosages were at a higher risk for health problems.  (Naimi et al. 1534)

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), men are more likely to drink than women.  In addition, the CDC indicates that excessive drinking is associated with health and safety issues, as well as increased frequency of drinking increases the risk.  Furthermore, the CDC reports that men are more likely to binge drink, which refers to consuming large amounts of alcohol at once.  (CDC)  In comparison with the study conducted by Naimi et al., the CDC reports that excessive drinking and binge drinking is associated with health problems and risks; however, Naimi et al., indicates that less frequent drinkers who consume more alcohol than more frequent daily drinkers at 1-2 drinks per day, are more at risk for health problems.  There seems to be a missing piece of information in the study.  In order for the study conducted by Naimi et al. to be accurate, other factors should be analyzed, such as age, health condition, type of alcohol etc.  For instance, the people who drink more frequently at a lower dose may drink wine versus harder alcohol, such as vodka or whiskey.  Therefore, there are other factors that should be analyzed in this study before implying low-risk drinking guidelines for frequent drinkers.

Works Cited

CDC.  Alcohol and Public Health. 2014.  Retrieved from: http://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/fact-sheets/mens-health.htm

Naimi,T., Xuan, Z. Brown, DW., Saitz, R. Confounding and studies of ‘moderate’ alcohol consumption: the case of drinking frequency and implications for low-risk drinking guidelines. 2013. Addiction(ADDICTION). Sep; 108 (9): 1534-43.