Dietary patterns for reducing cardiovascular disease risk among Thai alcohol drinkers

AbstractAim:  To study alcohol consumption patterns and dietary patterns among Thai people living in provinces with high risk of cardiovascular disease.Methods:  A cross‐sectional survey was applied using a face‐to‐face interview. A total of 1698 respondents aged 15–59 years participated. Four provinces from northern, central, eastern and southern Thailand as well as Bangkok were selected.Results:  A total of 724 (42.6%) men and 974 (57.4%) women participated in the study. There were more unhealthy habits associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk in the regular alcohol drinker group than in the occasional drinker and non‐drinker groups. There were differences in diet practices between men and women. Both men and women in the regular alcohol drinker group consumed highly salty food regularly 2.05 and 2.25 times more often than those in the occasional and non‐drinker group. They also regularly added fish sauce to ready cooked food 1.57 and 3.62 times more often than the occasional and non‐drinker group. Men in the regular alcohol drinker group regularly consumed deep‐fried food 1.97 times more often than those in the occasional and non‐drinker group. Men in the occasional and non‐drinker group regularly consumed fibre food 1.69 times more than those in the regular drinker group.Conclusions:  These results showed that alcohol drinkers also consumed poor diets that may put them at risk of development of cardiovascular disease. Programs aimed at increasing knowledge concerning better nutrition and fostering healthy eating habits among alcohol drinkers are warranted.