Obesity is an important public health problem. However, the effects of alcohol use on the risk for obesity have not been thoroughly explored. This study focuses on how frequency of alcohol use is related to the risk of obesity in a community medicine clinic population.

The convenience sample was drawn from three clinics that primarily serve low-income populations. Independent variables included frequency of alcohol use, frequency of binge drinking, demographic characteristics, health behaviors and health status.

The convenience sample was drawn from three clinics that serve low-income populations. Participation was voluntary. Pregnant women and persons under age 18 were excluded from participation. Of 1471 surveys distributed to patients and accompanying adult family members, completed forms were received from 793 (54%). Return rates varied by clinic. Height and weight responses were complete for 747 subjects.

Alcohol use was measured by both frequency and intensity. Frequency of alcohol consumption was measured as days per month (grouped into none, 1–2 and 3 or more). Intensity of alcohol consumption as measured by frequency of bingeing (times per month when drank five or more drinks, grouped as none, 1–2 and 3 or more). Other independent variables included gender, age, race/ethnicity (non-Hispanic White, Hispanic, Black, other), marital status (married vs single), educational level (less than high school, high school, some college, college graduate), number of persons living in the home (just me, one additional person, two or more), number of places to walk (none, one place, two or more), worry about having enough food (yes vs no), frequent mental distress (less than 15 days per month versus 15 or more), hours spent watching TV daily (less than 3, 3–7, or 8 or more), number of cigarettes per day (none, 1–20, more than 20), days per week of impaired activities of daily living (none vs one or more), days per week of exercise (none, 1–3, 4 or more) and health confidence. Health confidence was measured by the respondent's confidence that he or she can take of her own health (strongly agree, agree, not sure, disagree, strongly disagree).