Ethnicity and alcohol consumption among US adults with diabetes

PurposeThe drinking practices of a nationally representative sample of white, black, Mexican American, and other Hispanic adult diabetics are described and compared.MethodsCombined years (2005/2006–2011/2012) of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided home interview data from 2220 adults with self-reported diabetes of white (n = 875), black (n = 720), Mexican American (n = 402), and other Hispanic (n = 223) ethnicity. Current drinking status, the number of drinks consumed per week, and binge drinking were compared across ethnicity.ResultsThe multivariate findings for both diabetic men and women showed no statistically significant ethnic differences in current drinking status, and among women, there were no statistically significant ethnic differences in binge drinking. Among male diabetics, Mexican Americans consumed more drinks per week than whites (b = 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.13–0.58; P = .002) and were at increased risk for binge drinking (odds ratio, 2.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.30–3.21; P = .002).ConclusionsBinge drinking is prevalent among Mexican American male diabetics. This pattern of drinking may put them at risk for poor diabetes management and control. It is important that health care providers routinely assess their patients' drinking practices and address the health risks associated with alcohol consumption.