One in five women now drinking too much - The proportion of women drinking more than recommended levels has risen by a fifth in recent years, it has emerged.
The Office for National Statistics said increased alcohol consumption could be placing an added burden on hospitals.
It highlighted figures that show 18 per cent of women now consume more than 14 units of alcohol a week, equivalent to more than seven standard glasses of wine.
This represents a 20 per cent rise on the figure of 15 per cent recorded in 1998, with older women in particular drinking more.
In addition, the proportion of women drinking at dangerous levels of more than 35 units a week - more than 17 standard 175ml glasses of 12 per cent strength wine - has doubled from 2 per cent in 1998 to 4 per cent in 2009.
However over the same period, the proportion of men drinking to excess has remained almost constant.
In 1998, 28 per cent of men drank more than the recommended safe limit of 21 units a week and by 2009 this had fallen to 26 per cent.
Over the same period, the proportion drinking more than 50 units a week remained exactly the same, at 7 per cent overall, although the number of 16 to 24-year-olds binge-drinking fell by half.
The higher drinking levels among women, taken from the General Lifestyle Survey 2009, were highlighted by the ONS as an example of possible reasons for increased hospital procedures under Labour.
Its report on NHS productivity stated: “The percentage of females consuming more than the weekly recommended units of alcohol has increased by a fifth since 1998. Male consumption has remained fairly constant throughout the period.
“Research suggests that increased alcohol consumption is causing greater prevalence of conditions such as heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. This may cause an increase in demand for health services.” ( telegraph.co.uk )
The Office for National Statistics said increased alcohol consumption could be placing an added burden on hospitals.
It highlighted figures that show 18 per cent of women now consume more than 14 units of alcohol a week, equivalent to more than seven standard glasses of wine.
This represents a 20 per cent rise on the figure of 15 per cent recorded in 1998, with older women in particular drinking more.
In addition, the proportion of women drinking at dangerous levels of more than 35 units a week - more than 17 standard 175ml glasses of 12 per cent strength wine - has doubled from 2 per cent in 1998 to 4 per cent in 2009.
However over the same period, the proportion of men drinking to excess has remained almost constant.
In 1998, 28 per cent of men drank more than the recommended safe limit of 21 units a week and by 2009 this had fallen to 26 per cent.
Over the same period, the proportion drinking more than 50 units a week remained exactly the same, at 7 per cent overall, although the number of 16 to 24-year-olds binge-drinking fell by half.
The higher drinking levels among women, taken from the General Lifestyle Survey 2009, were highlighted by the ONS as an example of possible reasons for increased hospital procedures under Labour.
Its report on NHS productivity stated: “The percentage of females consuming more than the weekly recommended units of alcohol has increased by a fifth since 1998. Male consumption has remained fairly constant throughout the period.
“Research suggests that increased alcohol consumption is causing greater prevalence of conditions such as heart disease and cirrhosis of the liver. This may cause an increase in demand for health services.” ( telegraph.co.uk )
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