Search

Introduction: This study examined the associations of micro-level factors with current alcohol use and binge drinking among a large sample of Canadian youth., Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among high school students enrolled in the COMPASS study between 2012/13 and 2017/18. We used generalized estimating equations modelling to determine associations between micro-level factors and likelihood of current versus non-current alcohol use and binge drinking among respondents., Results: Students reporting current cannabis use were more likely to report current alcohol use over never use (odds ratio [OR] = 4.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.33-4.60) compared to students reporting non-current cannabis use. Students reporting current smoking of tobacco products were more likely to report current binge drinking over never binge drinking (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 2.45-2.58), compared to non-smoking students. Students reporting weekly disposable incomes of more than $100 were more likely to report current over never binge drinking (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 2.09-2.19), compared to students reporting no weekly disposable income., Conclusion: Higher disposable incomes, smoking of tobacco products and use of cannabis were associated with current alcohol use and binge drinking among youth. Findings may inform design of polysubstance use prevention efforts in high schools., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

Introduction: This study investigates the influence of age at first use of alcohol on current alcohol use and associated behaviours in a large sample of Canadian youth., Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among Ontario Grade 12 students enrolled in the COMPASS Host Study between 2012 and 2017. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) modelling to determine associations between age at first alcohol use and likelihood of current versus non-current alcohol use, binge drinking and mixing of alcohol with energy drinks among respondents., Results: Students reporting an age at first alcohol use between ages 13 and 14 years were more likely to report current alcohol use versus non-current use (OR = 2.80, 95% CI: 2.26-3.45) and current binge drinking versus non-current binge drinking (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.45-4.25) compared to students reporting first alcohol use at age 18 years or older. Students who started drinking at 8 years of age or younger were more likely to report current versus non-current alcohol use (OR = 3.54, 95% CI: 2.83-4.43), binge drinking (OR = 3.99, 95% CI: 2.97-5.37), and mixing of alcohol with energy drinks (OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.23-4.14), compared to students who started drinking at 18 years or older., Conclusion: Starting to drink alcohol in the early teen years predicted current alcohol use, current binge drinking and mixing of alcohol with energy drinks when students were in Grade 12. Findings indicate a need for development of novel alcohol prevention efforts., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report.

A randomised, cross-over, controlled-feeding study was conducted to evaluate the cholesterol-lowering effects of diets containing pistachios as a strategy for increasing total fat (TF) levels v. a control (step I) lower-fat diet. Ex vivo techniques were used to evaluate the effects of pistachio consumption on lipoprotein subclasses and functionality in individuals (n 28) with elevated LDL levels ( ≥ 2·86 mmol/l). The following test diets (SFA approximately 8 % and cholesterol < 300 mg/d) were used: a control diet (25 % TF); a diet comprising one serving of pistachios per d (1PD; 30 % TF); a diet comprising two servings of pistachios per d (2PD; 34 % TF). A significant decrease in small and dense LDL (sdLDL) levels was observed following the 2PD dietary treatment v. the 1PD dietary treatment (P= 0·03) and following the 2PD dietary treatment v. the control treatment (P= 0·001). Furthermore, reductions in sdLDL levels were correlated with reductions in TAG levels (r 0·424, P= 0·025) following the 2PD dietary treatment v. the control treatment. In addition, inclusion of pistachios increased the levels of functional α-1 (P= 0·073) and α-2 (P= 0·056) HDL particles. However, ATP-binding cassette transporter A1-mediated serum cholesterol efflux capacity (P= 0·016) and global serum cholesterol efflux capacity (P= 0·076) were only improved following the 2PD dietary treatment v. the 1PD dietary treatment when baseline C-reactive protein status was low ( < 103μg/l). Moreover, a significant decrease in the TAG:HDL ratio was observed following the 2PD dietary treatment v. the control treatment (P= 0·036). There was a significant increase in β-sitosterol levels (P< 0·0001) with the inclusion of pistachios, confirming adherence to the study protocol. In conclusion, the inclusion of pistachios in a moderate-fat diet favourably affects the cardiometabolic profile in individuals with an increased risk of CVD.