While some college women drink to excess to impress guys, a new study shows that college men actually find excessive alcohol intake in women unappealing. The study uncovers a dangerous disconnect between the attitudes of college men and women about women’s drinking that could be responsible for health problems ranging from hangovers to alcohol poisoning.

Researchers at Loyola Marymount University and the University of Washington recruited 3,616 students ages 18 to 25 to complete an online survey during the 2007 fall semester. The women participants answered questions about how many drinks they thought a typical college man would like his female friends to drink at a typical event, as well as the maximum number of drinks they thought the men would like their female friends to drink. The women were also asked how many drinks they thought a woman would have to consume for a guy to consider being friends with her, for him to consider dating her, or for him consider her sexually attractive. The men were asked their actual preferences.

The results, published in the March issue of Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, showed that 71 percent of the women surveyed overestimated the amount of alcohol they thought men would want them to drink. On average, the women overestimated by one-and-a-half drinks. Additionally, while 26 percent of women said that men would most likely want to be friends with a woman who drinks five or more drinks and 16 percent said that men would be most sexually attracted to a woman who drank that much alcohol, both estimates were nearly double what the men actually preferred. Perhaps most importantly, the researchers found that the women who overestimated the men's preferences were also the ones more likely to engage in excessive drinking.

The results may help explain why binge drinking among college women has recently increased twice as much as it has in men. While these women may be drinking to excess in order to "keep up with" the guys, women as a group are actually more vulnerable to alcohol intoxication than men because of their metabolism and physical makeup.

The researchers believe that universities and other public health organizations could use the insights gained from the study to help curb binge drinking among young women. They are currently working on a follow-up study on how much alcohol men think women want them to drink to see if their perceptions have a similar effect on increased risky drinking.

Want to learn more about alcohol issues? Join the Healia Health Community for Alcohol and see what others are saying, or you can read the Healia Health Guide to Alcoholism.

_{Photo: David Boyle in DC, Flickr, Creative Commons}

British researchers reported Tuesday that women who consume low to moderate amounts of alcohol face an increased risk of several types of cancers. Based on their data, they conclude that alcohol may account for nearly 13 percent of all cancers of the breast, liver, rectum, and upper digestive tract combined in the UK.

Researchers at the University of Oxford examined the relationship between alcohol consumption and several types of cancer among nearly 1.3 million middle-aged women enrolled in the UK’s Million Women Study. About a quarter of the women in the study reported abstaining from alcohol, but among the other three-quarters, the average alcohol consumption was one drink per day; very few reported having more than three drinks per day.

In the study that appears in the February 24^th online edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, researchers compared the lightest drinkers – those who consumed two or fewer drink per week – with those who drank more. After an average follow-up time of seven years, they found that each additional alcoholic drink regularly consumed per day was associated with 11 additional breast cancers per 1000 women up to age 75; one additional cancer of the oral cavity and pharynx; one additional cancer of the rectum; and an increase of 0.7 each for esophageal, laryngeal, and liver cancers. The background rate for all of these cancers combined is about 118 cases per 1,000 women. The type of alcohol consumed (wine, beer, or liquor) did not matter.

While the cancer risk to individuals conferred by drinking alcohol is not large, the researchers stress that given the prevalence of alcohol consumption in most Westernized countries, it likely results in a large number of cancers that are otherwise preventable, accounting for perhaps 13 percent of all cancers in the UK.

Previous studies have suggested that moderate alcohol consumption can benefit heart health and may reduce the chances of heart disease. While the present study did not address heart disease risk, the results call into question the health benefits of moderate alcohol consumption. However, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both women and men, ahead of all types of cancers combined, so there may still be an overall health benefit from moderate alcohol consumption.

Further research will hopefully shed light on who, if anyone, may benefit from moderate alcohol consumption and what is the "safest" amount to drink. Whether there is any overall health benefit to you from drinking alcohol may depend on your personal history and risk factors (e.g. family history of cancer or heart disease, cholesterol levels). Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and your alcohol consumption to find out if you should change your drinking habits.

For more information about breast cancer prevention, see How can I prevent breast cancer? in the Healia Health Guides. If you have a question about your alcohol consumption, ask the Healia Health Community on Alcohol or Ask the Experts at Healia Health Communities.

This Sunday, with millions of people attending Super Bowl viewing parties in homes, bars, and restaurants across the country, safety and health should be a primary concern. With so many people heading out to parties, the roads can be a hazardous place to be both before and after the big game. The living room can also be hazardous for kids and pets when it is full of raucous partygoers. Also, Super Bowl gatherings often provide the opportunity to eat and drink too much. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has come up with a list of 5 tips to help ensure your Super Bowl Sunday is a safe and healthy one.

1. Eat healthy. If you are attending a Super Bowl party, it is a good idea to eat a healthy meal before you go. That way you won’t be tempted to snack throughout the long game or to overindulge in unhealthy foods. If you are hosting the party, include some healthy snack and entrée options. You can still serve the traditional typical pizza, wings, and chips, but try including some fresh fruits and vegetables, such as apples or carrot sticks, and food and options that are low in sugar and fat, such as "baked" potato chips, low-fat dips, and pretzel sticks. You can also offer low-fat beverage options such as coffee, tea, and fruit drinks.
   
   
2. Limit alcohol. If you are a partygoer, avoid overindulging in alcoholic beverages before, during, and after the game. Moderate alcohol consumption may be fine, as long as you are not driving. Plan ahead and designate a non-drinking driver before the party begins. If you are a host, take steps to make sure that all your guests avoid driving under the influence of alcohol. Remind your guests to plan ahead and designate their sober driver. Offer alcohol-free beverages. Take responsibility and make sure all of your guests leave with a sober driver.
   
   
3. Move around. If you watch the pre-game, game, and after-celebration, you will spend eight hours or more sitting. Make sure to include some physical activity during the day. You don’t necessarily need to go for a two mile run a halftime, just try to include some activities that raise your breathing and heart rate. Play a game of touch football during pregame or at halftime. Take a brisk 10 minute walk. Go up and down the stairs a few times. Anything to get you moving around.
   
   
4. Stay warm. Many parts of the country are pretty chilly right now. If it’s going to be cold where you are, take steps to stay warm, especially if you have to be outdoors for any length of time. Dress warmly wearing loose-fitting layers that you can easily remove if you get hot. Drink warm liquids that don’t contain caffeine or alcohol, which tend to dehydrate you. Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not warm you up; instead it actually causes your body to lose heat more quickly. When using a heat sources such as a radiator or space heater, make sure it is at least three feet away from furniture and drapes.
   
   
5. Be careful. Injuries can easily occur to adults or children if you are not paying attention. Parties and tailgating can be fun, but it’s important to pay close attention to things that may cause injury. Take precautions to help prevent unwanted contact (physical, emotional, or sexual) between individuals. Watch the kids: DO NOT leave children unattended. Make sure your pets can handle the excitement before placing them in new or strange situations. If not, keep them in a safe place away from the noise, but make sure they have adequate food and water and that they get an opportunity to go to the bathroom. Never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or other or other combustible heat source indoors. Have a first-aid kit in your home and vehicle to handle injuries, like small cuts and bruises. Be especially careful when playing with children, particularly if you have been drinking.

Enjoy the game!

Have questions about party safety or other health issues? Ask the Experts at Healia Health Communities.

<sub>Source: CDC Office of Women's Health, modified January, 2009. http://www.cdc.gov/men/superbowl/index.htm

Photo: Alissa Gail Oakley, Flickr, Creative Commons</sub>

For many people, celebrating the holiday season often includes drinking alcohol. While this can be fun and festive when done in moderation, the holidays abound with social gatherings that provide the opportunity drink too much. In addition, holiday stress due to family issues, economic hardships, hosting obligations, and even the weather can provide the motivation to drink to excess. Drinking too much at a gathering can cause you embarrassment and may further increase feelings of stress or depression.

So if you or a loved one drinks too much at a party, does that mean there is a problem? Not necessarily. Answering the following four questions provided by the National Institute of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse can help you find out if you or a loved one has a drinking problem:

• Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
• Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
• Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?

If you or a loved one answers “yes” to one of these questions, it suggests that there may be an alcohol problem. If you or a loved one answers “yes” to more than question it is very likely that an alcohol problem exists. If you think that you or someone you know might have an alcohol problem, it is important to see a doctor or other health care provider right away. They can help you determine if a drinking problem exists and plan the best course of action.

For more information on what to do if you or someone you know has a drinking problem, see the NIAAA website. To connect with other people and share experiences dealing with alcohol problems, visit the Healia Health Community for Alcohol.

Source: NIAAA, FAQs for the General Public, Updated 2/07. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/FAQs/General-English/default.htm#problem


_{Photo: Phillie Casablanca, Flickr, Creative Commmons}

Researchers have found that even people who drink moderate amounts of alcohol may have smaller brain volume than those who do not drink. In a study published in the October issue of the Archives of Neurology, researchers conducted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain on 1,839 healthy people. They found that any level of alcohol consumption resulted in a reduction in brain volume. That is, the more alcohol consumption that people reported, the smaller their brain volume. People who did not drink alcohol had the greatest brain volumes. Some brain shrinkage is normal as people age; brain volume decreases about 2 percent per decade.

It is not yet clear if alcohol consumption directly shrinks brain tissue in people but this study raises some concerns that even moderate levels of alcohol use may have harmful effects on the brain.

Ask what others think about this issue on Healia’s Alcohol Community.

_{Photo: Wikipedia, Creative Commons}

Adopting four healthy habits (regular exercise, healthy eating, not smoking, and not drinking) can help you live longer—14 years longer—according to a report published this week in the Public Library of Science Medicine journal.

This research is an important piece of work which emphasizes how modifying just a few risk factors can add years to your life - Dr. Tim Armstrong, a physical activity expert at the World Health Organization.

During this festive holiday season, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminds us to stay safe and keep those around us safe by not allowing drinking or drugged driving. The month of December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month and the NHTSA cautions drivers to not let holiday parties get out of hand, to pour lightly, serve plenty of food, and not be afraid to take the keys from a friend who has had too much to drink.

• An alcohol-related motor vehicle crash kills someone every 31 minutes and non-fatally injures someone every two minutes (NHTSA 2006).
• In 2005, 16,885 people died in alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes, accounting for 39% of all traffic-related deaths in the United States (NHTSA 2006).
• Most drinking and driving episodes go undetected. In 2005, nearly 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics (Department of Justice 2005).
• Alcohol-related motor vehicle crashes are the single greatest cause of death for every age group from 6 through 33 years of age (National Commission Against Drunk Driving).
• Nearly 80% of all occupants killed in alcohol related traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts (National Commission Against Drunk Driving).