IS AN INCREASED WAIST HIP RATIO THE CAUSE OF ALCOHOL-INDUCED HYPERTENSION - THE AIR94 STUDY/

Objective: The mechanisms of alcohol-associated hypertension are not k nown. We tested the hypothesis that the alcohol-associated increase in blood pressure may be caused in part by an alcohol-induced accumulati on of abdominal fat. Subjects and methods: A total of 842 non-smoking men (mean+/-SD age 52+/-16 years) attending the air-show AIR94 in Bouc hs, Switzerland, volunteered to participate in a cross-sectional study . Four alcohol consumption frequency categories were self-reported, to gether with weight changes since the age of 20 and during the last 2 y ears. Blood pressure, body weight, height and the waist:hip ratio were measured. Results: The results showed that 83% of the subjects were a lcohol-consumers, Systolic (analysis of variance, P=0.002) and diastol ic (P=0.009) blood pressure and the waist:hip ratio (P>0.0001) increas ed with increasing alcohol consumption. The self-judged dietary fat in take increased significantly with increasing alcohol consumption. Weig ht changes over time were positively associated with alcohol consumpti on. In a regression model alcohol consumption was the fourth most impo rtant contributor to systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as to an increased abdominal fat mass. Conclusion: The alcohol-associated increase in blood pressure may be caused in part by an alcohol-induce d accumulation of abdominal fat. Alcohol consumption favours the devel opment of a positive energy balance and thus the abdominal deposition of fat, which is associated with an increased blood pressure. To reduc e the risk of a positive energy balance and the abdominal deposition o f fat, the intake of alcohol should be minimized and physical activity increased whenever possible.