Actual and Perceived Units of Alcohol in a Self‐Defined "Usual Glass" of Alcoholic Drinks in England. (20th December 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boniface, Sadie; Kneale, James; Shelton, Nicola
• Is Part Of: Alcoholism. Volume 37:Number 6(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 978
• Page End: 983
• Publication Date: 2012-12-20
• Subjects: Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Alcoolisme; Electronic journals; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.861005
• DOI: 10.1111/acer.12046
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0145-6008

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="acer12046-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="acer12046-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Several studies have found participants pour more than 1 standard drink or unit as their usual glass. This is the first study to measure actual and perceived amounts of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass of wines and spirits in the general population.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12046-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Participants were a convenience sample of adults who drink alcohol or who pour drinks for other people (<italic>n</italic> = 283, 54% women) at 6 sites in South East England. The survey was face to face and comprised a self‐completion questionnaire and pouring task. Estimation accuracy, categorised as correct (±0.5 units), underestimate (>0.5 units), or overestimate (>0.5 units) was the main outcome.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12046-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The mean number of units poured was 1.90 (SD 0.80; <italic>n</italic> = 264) for wine and 1.93 (SD 0.78; <italic>n</italic> = 201) for spirits. The amount of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass was estimated in 440 glasses (248 wine and 192 spirits). Overestimation took place in 42% glasses of spirit poured and 29% glasses of wine poured, and underestimation in 17 and 19%, respectively. Multinomial logistic regression found volume poured to be significantly associated with underestimating both wines and spirits, and additionally for wine only, belonging to a non‐white ethnic group and being unemployed or retired. Not having a university degree was significantly associated with overestimating both drink types.</p> </sec> <sec id="acer12046-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>This study is the first in the general population and did not identify systematic underestimation of the amount of alcohol in a self‐defined usual glass. Underestimation is significantly associated with volume poured for both drink types; therefore, advocating pouring smaller glasses could reduce underestimation of alcohol consumption.</p> </sec> </abstract>