[Changes in alcohol consumption among Chinese adults from 2002 to 2015].

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the trend of changes in alcohol consumption among Chinese adults aged 18 and above.

Methods: Based on the data from three rounds of China Nutrition and Health Surveys in 2002, 2012 and 2015 years, we selected adults aged 18 and above with complete alcohol consumption survey data as the survey subjects.

Results: From 2002 to 2015, the alcohol consumption rate among Chinese adults aged 18 and above showed a year-by-year increasing trend, reaching 28.9% in 2012 and 42.9% in 2015. The alcohol consumption rate among males is higher than that among females, and there is not much difference between urban and rural areas. The alcohol intake of drinkers showed a downward trend year by year. The median alcohol intake decreased from 12.9 g/d in 2002 to 5.7 g/d in 2015, which was more obvious in men than in women. The rate of excessive alcohol consumption among drinkers has shown a decreasing trend year by year, from 45.4% in 2002 to 35.5% in 2015. The decline is more pronounced in males than females, and it was more obvious in urban areas than in rural areas. Compared to other age groups, the 30-39 age group showed the greatest decrease in excessive alcohol consumption rates among drinkers. Chinese adult drinkers drink the most types of high degree wine and beer. As for the most favorite type of drinking, men drink the most high degree wine, while women drink the most beer. The most drinkers in the age groups of 18-29, 30-39 and 40-49 years old drank beer, and the most drinkers in the age groups of 50-59, 60-69 and ≥ 70 years old drank high degree wine.

Conclusion: The situation of excessive drinking among Chinese drinkers remains severe, with a particular focus on males, rural areas and those aged 50 and above.