Alcohol consumption and abdominal fat in blood donors.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and abdominal fat. METHODS Cross-sectional study carried out in a sample of male blood donors (n=1,235), aged 20-59 years, in the city of Cuiabá, Central-West Brazil, between August 1999 and January 2000. Waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were indicators of abdominal fat, adjusted for total adiposity. Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Alcohol consumption was evaluated using a questionnaire collecting information on type, frequency, and amount of consumption. The association between alcohol consumption and abdominal fat was assessed through multiple linear regression models adjusted for age, physical activity, smoking, and percent of body fat. RESULTS After adjustment, waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio were positively associated with beer (p=0.02) and total alcohol consumption (p=0.01; p=0.03, respectively). Waist circumference was positively associated with spirit consumption (p=0.04). CONCLUSIONS Alcohol intake, particularly beer, was positively associated to abdominal fat.