Alcohol energy intake is related to low body mass index in Japanese older adults: Data from the 2010-2011 National Health and Nutrition Survey

The objective of this study was to identify lifestyle and nutritional factors associated with low BMI in Japanese older adults, with a focus on alcohol energy intake. Cross-sectional study. Participants: Data from 1,093 respondents (711 men and 382 women) to the National Health and Nutrition Survey aged 65 years and older were included in this study. Data were analyzed for associations between BMI and lifestyle, energy, and nutrient intake. Alcohol energy intake was calculated from total energy and participants were categorized into BMI quartiles. Energy-adjusted nutrient intakes were calculated as residuals from a regression model, with BMI as the independent variable and lifestyle factors and nutrient intake as dependent variables. Between-BMI quartile differences were assessed for each sex using multivariate logistic regression analysis. In addition, the nutrient intakes of men consuming more than 280 kcal and less than 280 kcal of alcohol energy per day were compared. Men and women in the lowest BMI quartile had lower total energy intake but higher alcohol energy intake than men in the other BMI quartiles. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, the lowest BMI quartile was associated with total energy (OR: 0.81, p = 0.0310) and alcohol energy intake (OR: 1.22, p = 0.0472) in men. In men, protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, iron, and vitamin intakes were less in those that consumed 280 kcal than in those that consumed < 280 kcal of alcohol per day. Our results demonstrate an association between alcohol energy intake and low BMI in older Japanese individuals.