Relationship between ethanol consumption level and lifestyle status: Excessive ethanol consumption can account for the prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases

Background: Diseases caused by unhealthful lifestyles, namely lifestyle-related diseases demands prompt solutions including preventive measures and effective treatment, especially in the developed countries. To that effect, clear understandings of such syndromes are required. Our recent observations have indicated that insulin resistance could, at least in part, account for the pathogenesis of lifestyle-related diseases. The aim of this study was to clarify whether excessive ethanol consumption could also be another cause of such diseases. Method: Lifestyle status was assessed based on Breslow's questionnaires of lifestyle index in 519 Japanese males aged 30 to 65 years. Averaged ethanol consumption level was determined by additional questionnaires and insulin resistance level was estimated by homeostasis model assessment. Results: Ethanol consumption level was inversely associated with the total score on Breslow's lifestyle index. Improper drinking manner was associated with improper habit of smoking and proper habit of eating snacks among six lifestyle factors induced in Breslow's index. Conclusion: Subjects with more unhealthful lifestyles consumed greater amount of ethanol, suggesting that excessive ethanol consumption could be one of causes of lifestyle-related diseases. In addition to insulin resistance syndrome, alcohol-related diseases should be cared to address the issues of lifestyle-related diseases.