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News

Alcohol in Britain: trends show young men are binge-drinking less, but women are binge-drinking more

6th May 2009

Alcohol in Britain: trends show young men are binge-drinking less, but women are binge-drinking more

Research released today (6 May 2009) shows that the
proportion of women who binge-drink almost doubled between 1998 and 2006
and is now at 15% (men who binge-drink increased by 1% to 23%).
 However, the proportion of 16- to 24-year-old men binge-drinking
decreased by 9% since 2000. Researchers also found that whilst fewer children are drinking, those that do drink are drinking much more than they did in the past.

The research, carried out by a team from Oxford Brookes
University for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, looked at existing
evidence on drinking trends in the general population over the last 20
to 30 years. Five trends highlighted in the report are:

  • An increase in drinking amongst women
    In the UK, women are less likely than men to drink, and
    women who do drink consume less than men. However the gender gap has
    generally narrowed over the last 15 to 20 years. Researchers suggest
    this might relate to the influence of advertising and also women’s
    increased financial security and independence.

  • An increase in drinking among middle-age and older groups
    In recent years there has been a steady increase in
    alcohol consumption in these age groups. Researchers say it is likely to
    be wealthier individuals who are drinking more, however the report
    points out that alcohol is 65% more affordable now than in 1980. 

  • A recent decrease in drinking among 16-24 year-olds (both sexes but especially men)
    The researchers were surprised to find that young
    adults are drinking less, especially in the face of rising consumption
    in the older age groups. Whilst this downturn might seem
    counter-intuitive, given the media attention on binge-drinkers, recent
    trends do indicate that this age group are not drinking quite as much as
    they once were.

  • An increase in alcohol consumption amongst children
    Fewer children are drinking, but those that do drink
    are drinking much more than they did in the past. Researchers found that
    the most compelling consideration when trying to explain the rising
    trend in consumption amongst 11- to 13-year-olds compared with older
    teenagers and young adults is the influence of parents, family, friends
    and the home environment.

  • An increase in drinking in Northern Ireland compared with the rest of the UK
    Researchers found excessive weekly drinking has
    increased in Northern Ireland compared with Great Britain as a whole.
    One possible explanation for this is the change in licensing laws in
    1996, and the rapid growth in the leisure industry since the peace
    process began.

    Lesley Smith, the report’s lead author, said: “Much concern
    has been expressed in recent years about young people’s drinking – and
    young people binge-drinking in particular. Many people will be surprised
    to learn that young men’s drinking, including binge-drinking, has gone
    down in recent years, while middle age and older people’s drinking has
    increased.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors

  1. The full report and Findings: Drinking in the UK: An exploration of trends by Lesley Smith and David Foxcroft from Oxford Brookes University, is available to download for free from www.jrf.org.uk

  2. Binge drinking is defined as the proportion of people
    who report having drunk over twice the recommended maximum number of
    units on any day in the previous week.

  3. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) is one of largest
    social policy research and development charities in the UK. Working with
    the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) it aims to influence policy
    and practice by searching for evidence and demonstrating solutions to
    help overcome the causes of poverty, disadvantage and social evil. www.jrf.org.uk

  4. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Joseph Rowntree
    Housing Trust are completely separate from the other two Trusts set up
    by Joseph Rowntree in 1904; the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT)
    and the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust Ltd (JRRT). Further information
    about each organisation can be found at www.josephrowntree.org.uk.

Issued by Charlotte Morris, Acting Head of Media:

07800 615 105 / 01904 615 919 / 020 7278 9665 charlotte.morris@jrf.org.uk

More news items
Alcohol related hospital admissions up by 69% since 2002
Government Consultation on Road Safety

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