The Mediating Role of Smoking and Body Mass Index on the Relationship between Alcohol Consumption and Blood Triglyceride Levels among Korean Adults: The 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

Background: Although there are many studies of association between alcohol consumption and hypertriglyceridemia with categorized variables, it is insufficient to study association between quantity of alcohol consumption and triglyceride levels as continuous variables. Therefore, this study investigates direct effect of alcohol consumption on triglyceride levels. Additionally, this study examines indirect effects through smoking and body mass index (BMI).Methods: This study uses data from the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Among the participants, 5,867 adults ≥20 years of age are enrolled. To test the association between quantity of alcohol consumption and triglyceride levels and indirect effects through smoking and BMI, this study conducts multi-regression analysis by SPSS PROCESS macro.Results: The results are as follows. First, alcohol consumption has positive(+) effects on smoking, BMI, and triglyceride levels significantly. Second, smoking and BMI have a positive(+) effect on triglyceride levels significantly. Third, alcohol consumption has positive(+) effects on triglyceride levels through smoking and BMI indirectly.Conclusions: Alcohol consumption has a direct effect on triglyceride levels, also has indirect effects through smoking and BMI positively.