Predictors of binge drinking in a California sample: Demographics and health conditions

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the predictors of binge drinking using a 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data. Methods: The sample of 987 from the 2007 CHIS data reported age, sex, race, chronic health conditions (hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes), psychological distress, and binge drinking. Binary logistic regression was used to identify whether demographics and health conditions predicted binge drinking. Results: The full model with five independent variables (age, sex, race, chronic diseases, and distress) explained 8.4% and 12.9 % of the total variance in binge drinking (Chi-square(df)= 86.519(6), p< .05). People in younger age group (18-35 years old) are more likely to have binge drinking in past year compared to people in middle age (36-64 years old, OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.40, 3.15) or older age group (65-85 years old, OR: 5.68, 95% CI: 3.23, 10), controlling for other variables in the model. Males are more likely to have binge drinking compared to females (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 1.79, 3.39). Whites are more likely to have binge drinking compared to non-whites (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.11, 2.26). However, chronic diseases and distress were not significantly associated with binge drinking. Conclusions: In the CHIS data, age, sex, and race were significant predictors for binge drinking. However, chronic diseases and distress were not significant. Further research studies on the association between health status and binge drinking are necessary.