Behavioral and Anthropometric Determinants of Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Evidence from the BRFSS 2015

Abstract Behavioral and Anthropometric Determinants of Excessive Alcohol Consumption: Evidence from the BRFSS 2015 Introduction Excessive alcohol consumption is one of the leading preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in the adult population. Identifying behavioral and sociodemographic characteristics associated with this behavior can support the development of more effective prevention strategies. Methods Data were obtained from the 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national survey coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that collects self-reported health-related information from the adult population in the United States. The final sample included 253,680 individuals, with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 28.4. A binary logistic regression was performed to explore the association between excessive alcohol consumption (dependent variable) and the following predictors: fruit consumption, vegetable consumption, BMI, and sex. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated. Results The model was globally significant (χ² = 1318, p < 0.001), with a McFadden’s R² of 0.012. Fruit consumption was associated with a lower likelihood of excessive alcohol use (OR: 0.661; 95% CI: 0.638–0.684; p < 0.001), whereas vegetable consumption was paradoxically associated with an increased risk (OR: 1.419; 95% CI: 1.352–1.489; p < 0.001). Female sex (OR: 0.959; p < 0.001) and higher BMI (OR: 0.959; p < 0.001) were also protective factors. Conclusions The analysis of BRFSS 2015 data shows that specific dietary habits and individual characteristics, such as sex and body mass index, are significantly associated with excessive alcohol consumption. These findings may help guide future preventive strategies and educational interventions targeting at-risk groups.