Survey reaffirms Koreans’ affinity for alcohol

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Survey reaffirms Koreans’ affinity for alcohol

Koreans, especially men, are known for their alcohol consumption, which is generally regarded as necessary to maintain career and personal relationships.

And that reputation, according to a newly released survey, is well deserved.

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The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2010 surveyed 6,257 adults on their drinking habits and found 42.5 percent of men and 13.7 percent of women said they consume alcohol excessively at least once a week, a rate that is more than triple the global average.

The World Health Organization defines excessive drinking as the equivalent of seven shot-sized cups (1 fluid ounce per cup) of soju for men and five for women.

In 2005, the WHO reported that the global average for once-a-week binge drinking was 16.1 percent for men and 4.2 percent for women.

In the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention survey, one in four Korean men say that they drink excessively twice a week or more, a level of consumption that puts them at “high risk.” Of women drinkers, 7.6 percent were categorized as high-risk.

The survey also shows that 84.9 percent of men in their 30s have at least one drink a month. The is the highest percentage of any age group.

For women, the 20s is the age group that is most likely to consume alcohol, with 52.1 percent reporting that they have at lease one drink a month.

By Kang Jin-kyu [jkkang2@joongang.co.kr]
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