The impact of a population-based multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on alcohol intake: The Inter99 study

PurposeTo investigate the effect of screening and five years of multi-factorial lifestyle intervention on changes in alcohol intake in a general population.MethodsThe study was a pre-randomized intervention study on lifestyle, Inter99 (1999–2006), Copenhagen, Denmark. Participants in the intervention group (n = 6 091) had at baseline a medical health examination and a face-to-face lifestyle counselling. Individuals at high risk of ischemic heart disease were repeatedly offered both individual and group-based counselling. The control group (n = 3 324) was followed by questionnaires. Alcohol intake was measured by questionnaires. Changes were analysed by multilevel analyses.ResultsBinge drinking decreased both in men and women at three and five-year follow-ups (men: five-year: net-change:− 0.13; p = 0.03; women: five-year: net-change:− 0.08; p = 0.04). Furthermore, in women the ratio between wine and total alcohol was increased compared with the control group at five-year follow-up (net-change: 0.04; p < 0.01). In men with a high intake of alcohol (> 21 drinks per week) the effect on total alcohol intake was maintained at five-year follow-up (net-change: − 3.7; p = 0.01). No significant effects were found in women on total alcohol intake.ConclusionMulti-factorial lifestyle intervention, including low intensity alcohol intervention, improved long-term alcohol habits in a general population.