Study reveals Aussies are drinking less
Many Australians are shifting their drinking habits, in favour of a healthier lifestyle and younger people are leading the charge.
More than one in three Aussies have revealed they’re drinking less to improve their overall health.
According to Bupa’s Pulse Check, the younger demographic aged 18-29 were cutting back the most and rated the highest in signalling they would like to drink less.
The national survey of more than 2000 Australians showed 38 per cent were reducing their alcohol intake in the last year.
Lowering alcohol consumption was common across all age groups but slightly higher in females.
Bupa’s Healthcare Program Manager Dr Andre Rodrigues said the results were encouraging and should translate into healthier lives for those who’ve already changed their drinking habits.
“Alcohol is embedded in the lives of many Australian adults with about four in five workers reporting having consumed alcohol in the past year. We know that having a drink can be part of a social lifestyle and there’s evidence that shows moderate consumption is associated with feelings of wellbeing for some people, particularly in social contexts,” he said.
“However, what we also know is that excessive alcohol consumption is directly linked to short-term risk, such as accident and injury, and long-term risk of chronic illness and disease.”
As millions around the country take part in Dry July, Dr Rodrigues explained some of the biggest hurdles were breaking habits and changing mindsets.
“It’s important that programs and interventions that support lower levels of drinking also target beliefs and attitudes toward alcohol consumption and the mental readiness to change,” he said.
“A program will be more likely to reach risky drinkers and be successful if it focuses on the health impacts of excessive drinking, while also providing practical advice and support to those who already know they should drink less but aren’t sure how or where to start.
“As with many things in life, setting goals, planning, taking small steps and understanding that there may be setbacks, can help make lifestyle change successful and sustainable. For some, the goal may not be to stop drinking completely, but to drink more responsibly to live a healthier life.”
As with many things in life, setting goals, planning, taking small steps and understanding that there may be setbacks, can help make lifestyle change successful and sustainable. For some, the goal may not be to stop drinking completely, but to drink more responsibly to live a healthier life.
Guidelines from the Australian government’s lead health agency, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, says to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol, healthy men and women should drink no more than 10 standard drinks a week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any one day. For pregnant women, it is not deemed safe to drink alcohol.
As part of Bupa’s healthcare programs, members can receive coaching to support and manage better health choices including behaviour change techniques, and we are looking to increase support for those needing help with alcohol.
Bupa Pulse Check surveyed 2000 Australians and looked at Australians’ attitudes towards their health and wellbeing.
