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Stability of alcohol consumption over time: evidence from three longitudinal surveys from the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the stability of individual monthly alcohol consumption volume in three studies from the United States: The first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey with three measurements, The Framingham Offspring and Spouse Cohort with four measurements, and the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth with six measurements. The results will aid in the interpretation of studies that assess consumption at one point only. METHOD: Five analyses measure (1) the amount of change between measurements, (2) the correlation between reported consumption, (3) patterns of later drinking by the baseline group, (4) mean consumption of abstainers when they drink and heavy drinkers when not drinking heavily and (5) the strength of past consumption in predicting present consumption. RESULTS: Correlations between measurements are high for adult samples 5 years apart or less but low for longer follow-ups and younger samples. Heavy drinkers are much less stable than abstainers or moderate drinkers. Abstainers at one time who drink at another drink much less than the mean. One time heavy drinkers are close to the consumption mean of the entire sample when not heavy but two or more time heavy drinkers drink more than the mean when not heavy. An autoregressive, rather than Markov, model of consumption change is supported. CONCLUSIONS: Aspects of both stability and change are found. Baseline measures of drinking groups are especially unreliable for younger samples, longer follow-ups and heavier drinkers. There appear to be important subgroups moving between abstention and light drinking and moderate and heavy drinking that can be identified only by multiple measurements or retrospective measures.

Adolescent↗

Positive and negative effects of social support on the relationship between work stress and alcohol consumption.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to evaluate both positive and negative influences of social support on the relationship between work stress and alcohol consumption in male white-collar workers. METHOD: This study was performed in a population of male white-collar workers in Osaka, Japan. The subjects (N = 661) were categorized into nine subgroups based on the moderated mediation model of Frone and on the results of signal detection analysis using chi-square parameters calculated from work stressors and depression (mediators). Hierarchical linear regression analyses were performed among the nine subgroups to test the effects of interactions between four types of social support (i.e., two types of belonging support and two types of appraisal support) and work stress on alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Our results verified that social support has both positive and negative effects on the relationship between work stress and alcohol consumption: (1) interactions between "belonging support (1)" and depressive symptoms were related to decreased alcohol consumption in two subgroups (p < .01 in Group 1 and p < .05 in Group 6), whereas the interaction was related to increased alcohol consumption in one subgroup (p < .01 in Group 7); (2) interaction between "belonging support (2)" and depressive symptoms was related to decreased alcohol consumption in two groups (p < .05 in Group 5 andp < .01 in Group 7), whereas the interaction was related to increased alcohol consumption in one group (p < .01 in Group 1). CONCLUSIONS: Social support was suggested to have various types of influences (i.e., positive, negative or no effect) on the relationship between work stress and alcohol consumption, depending on the type of social support and environmental factors defining the groups.

Adult↗

Decreased taxation, spirits consumption and alcohol-related problems in Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: The spirits market in Switzerland was reformed in 1999 in accordance with the World Trade Organization agreement. The resulting tax reform and increased competition have resulted in markedly reduced prices for foreign spirits, and a previous study showed that spirits consumption increased significantly after the tax reform. The present study examined whether alcohol-related problems also increased at follow-up and if they did, whether the increase was the result of increased spirits consumption. Further correlates of alcohol-related problems were also explored. METHOD: Data were obtained from a longitudinal study on changes in alcohol consumption in Switzerland. The baseline survey was conducted 3 months before the tax reform, and the follow-up was conducted 28 months after the tax reform. A randomly selected sample of 4,007 residents aged 15 years or older participated in the baseline survey, and 73% of this sample participated in the follow-up survey. Alcohol consumption was measured on the basis of a graduated frequency, and alcohol-related problems were measured by items taken from the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT). RESULTS: Findings indicate that alcohol-related problems increased significantly at follow-up. The significance disappeared, however, after controlling for spirits consumption, indicating that the increase of alcohol-related problems at follow-up was mainly mediated through increased consumption of spirits. The multiple regression models showed that spirits, beer and wine consumption, gender, Age*Spirits Consumption interaction, region, smoking status, heavy-drinking frequency and average number of drinks were significant correlates of alcohol-related problems. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol-related problems increased at the follow-up, particularly among younger age groups who consumed more spirits. Prevention programs on alcohol-related problems should target young people.

Adolescent↗

Premenstrual symptomatology and alcohol consumption in college women.

OBJECTIVE: Because research has indicated women may be at increased risk for alcohol-related health problems, identifying risk factors for alcohol use among college women has become increasingly important. Previous studies report a relationship between premenstrual symptoms (PMS) and alcohol consumption among women seeking treatment for symptoms; however, results have been inconsistent among nonclinical samples. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between premenstrual symptomatology and alcohol consumption in a sample of college women. METHOD: Women (N = 193) from a large urban university consented to complete an assessment battery of health behavior questionnaires which included a retrospective assessment of PMS severity and typical weekend and weekday alcohol consumption during the past year. RESULTS: Results revealed that PMS severity significantly predicted annual weekday alcohol consumption but did not predict annual weekend alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests the relationship between PMS and alcohol consumption exists in nonclinical samples of college women who are relatively early in their drinking careers, before the development of severe alcohol-related problems. Thus, premenstrual symptomatology may be an important risk factor for alcohol consumption among college women. Education on the relationship between PMS and risk for alcohol misuse may provide beneficial information for both alcohol prevention and intervention efforts on college campuses and may be helpful in identifying women at risk for heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol problems.

Adolescent↗

Alcohol consumption, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase levels, and coronary risk factors in a middle-aged occupational population.

The relationships between alcohol consumption, serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) levels, and the prevalence of major coronary risk factors were analyzed cross-sectionally in 2,399 male and 1,402 female middle-aged workers, to clarify the effects of moderate alcohol consumption on the development of the metabolic syndrome. Male moderate drinkers, consuming less than 60 ml of alcohol per day, had a lower prevalence of upper body obesity and low serum HDL-cholesterolemia (LHDLC) in comparison with nondrinkers, but not of hypertension, impaired glucose tolerance or hypertriglyceridemia (HTG). In women, alcohol consumption did not show any significant associations with the coronary risk factors. Men with an elevated serum GGT (EGGT) of 40 U/l or above had a significantly higher odds ratio for all the coronary risk factors as compared with those with normal GGT, even after adjusting for alcohol consumption, together with age, body mass index, cigarette consumption and physical activity. Women with an EGGT of 25 U/l or above had similar findings, although significance was found only in HTG. Nearly 80% and 55% of the appearance of EGGT in men and women were attributable to alcohol consumption, and 20% and 10% of the male and female moderate drinkers had EGGT. These results suggest that even moderate alcohol consumption will increase coronary risk factors characteristic of the metabolic syndrome in drinkers who have an increase in serum GGT. Further studies are required to confirm the causal association between alcohol consumption, increase in serum GGT and development of the metabolic syndrome.

Adult↗

Association of consumption of fried food away from home with body mass index and diet quality in older children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: Rates of overweight have increased dramatically among children in the United States. Although an increase in consumption of food prepared away from home has paralleled overweight trends, few data exist relating food prepared away from home to change in BMI in children. The goals of this study were to (1) examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between consumption of fried foods away from home (FFA) and BMI and (2) examine the cross-sectional associations between intake of FFA and several measures of diet quality. METHODS: We studied a cohort of 7745 girls and 6610 boys, aged 9 to 14 years, at baseline in 1996. We obtained BMI from self-reported height and weight, measures of diet quality from a food frequency questionnaire, and weekly servings of FFA during the previous year. We performed linear regression analyses to assess the longitudinal associations between change in consumption of FFA on change in BMI, using data from three 1-year periods from 1996 through 1999. We also related consumption of FFA with intake of selected foods and nutrients at baseline. RESULTS: In cross-sectional analyses, adjusting for potential confounders, mean (SE) BMI was 19.1 (0.13) among children who ate FFA "never or <1/week," 19.2 (0.13) among those who responded "1 to 3 times/week," and 19.3 (0.18) among those who responded "4 to 7 times/week." In longitudinal multivariate models, increasing (over 1 year) consumption of FFA "never or <1/week" to "4 to 7/week" was associated with increasing BMI (beta = 0.21 kg/m2; 95% confidence interval: 0.03-0.39) compared with those with low consumption of FFA at baseline and 1 year later. At baseline, frequency of eating FFA was associated with greater intakes of total energy, sugar-sweetened beverages, and trans fat, as well as lower consumption of low-fat dairy foods and fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that older children who consume greater quantities of FFA are heavier, have greater total energy intakes, and have poorer diet quality. Furthermore, increasing consumption of FFA over time may lead to excess weight gain.

Adolescent↗

[Food consumption by pregnant adolescents in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil].

The increase in teenage pregnancy has been viewed with concern by public health experts. Food consumption to help maintain high nutrient demands has been identified as one of the most relevant components. This study aims to present the habitual consumption of food and energy-specific nutrients by pregnant adolescents. A total of 1,180 adolescent mothers were interviewed in maternity hospitals in the City of Rio de Janeiro, and a simplified questionnaire on semi-quantitative frequency of food consumption was applied. Lower consumption of fruit juice, vegetables, and fruits was observed among adolescent mothers over 15. Adolescent mothers classified in the lowest quartile of consumption lack the minimum recommended consumption of energy and nutrients. An inverse association was found between the number of household members and energy and nutrient consumption. Adolescent mothers who received dietary information and changed their eating habits during pregnancy showed better results concerning the consumption of energy and nutrients. Prenatal care was a key factor for improving the results of pregnancy, emphasizing the importance of providing dietary information.

Adolescent↗

[Alcohol consumption among industrial workers in Monterrey, Mexico].

This study aimed to describe alcohol consumption among 129 industrial workers. Data were collected by means of the instruments called AUDIT and CECA. The highest consumption rates were for 31-year old male workers, with 9.8 years of education, 5 years of work experience and married. The average consumption per occasion was between 3 and 4 drinks for 38.5%. 32.7% of the workers consumed 6 or more glasses per month. Consumption frequency per month was 2 or 4 times, 46.5% were dependent and damage had occurred in 55% of the workers and employees. The workers mentioned alcohol consumption during social meetings with friends (63.6%). Consequences of consumption were: physical fatigue (44.2%), physical problems (29.5%), decreased work performance (29.5%) and decreased reflexes (21.7%). The higher the alcohol consumption levels, the smaller the consequences of this consumption perceived by workers. Those workers mentioning that they did not consume alcohol were in the pre-contemplation stage.

Adult↗

Inhibitory effects of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding proteins-1 and -3 on IGF-activated glucose consumption in mouse BALB/c 3T3 fibroblasts.

We have examined the biological effects of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) on insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-activated glucose consumption in a BALB/c 3T3 subline. The method employed was a colorimetric measurement of glucose consumption, allowing the detection of changes from the initial glucose concentration in conditioned medium, following the addition of IGFs and IGFBPs. Human IGFBP-1, purified from amniotic fluid, inhibited IGF-activated glucose consumption, although it had no effect on insulin-activated glucose consumption. The median effective dose (ED50) of IGFBP-1 to cause inhibitory effects on IGF-activated glucose consumption was 100-200 micrograms/l and was similar for both IGF-I and IGF-II at a concentration of 1.0 microgram IGF/l. Therefore, at IGF concentrations of comparable activity, the inhibitory effects of IGFBP-1 were greater for IGF-I than for IGF-II, because of the higher activity of IGF-I in this assay. Recombinant human IGFBP-3 also inhibited IGF-activated glucose consumption, without affecting insulin-stimulated glucose consumption. The inhibitory effects of IGFBP-3 were greater for IGF-II than for IGF-I when IGFBP-3 was coincubated with either of the IGFs, at both IGF concentrations of comparable activity and equivalent molar concentrations. Thus, it became clear that the inhibitory effects of these IGFBPs on IGF biological action depended primarily upon their affinity for the specific IGF ligand and molar ratio of IGFBP/IGF peptide. Interestingly, when cells were pretreated with IGFBP-3, prior to the simultaneous addition of IGFs and IGFBP-3, the inhibitory effect was higher for IGF-I than for IGF-II. Either no effect or a minor inhibitory effect on IGF-activated glucose consumption was detected with IGFBP pretreatment alone. When the ED50 for inhibition of IGF action by IGFBPs in this in-vitro assay was compared with the physiological concentrations of IGFs and IGFBPs in normal human serum and in amniotic fluid, it was estimated that the IGFBP-1 concentration present in serum was not sufficient to modulate IGF action effectively while the concentration in amniotic fluid was enough for effective suppression. IGFBP-3 exhibited an ED50 low enough to suppress IGF-II and possibly IGF-I action when cells were pretreated with IGFBP-3. Thus, our data suggested that IGFBP-1 in amniotic fluid and IGFBP-3 in serum could be a potent inhibitor for IGF action. IGFBP-1 in serum, however, may not be able to function as a direct inhibitor under physiological conditions but, rather, may modulate IGF action together with other IGFBPs.

Animals↗

Caffeine-containing beverages, total fluid consumption, and premenstrual syndrome.

The main objective of this study was to evaluate whether daily consumption of caffeine-containing beverages is related to the prevalence and severity of premenstrual syndrome apart from any effects of daily total fluid consumption. A secondary objective was to determine whether daily total fluid consumption itself is related to premenstrual syndrome. The study is based on 841 responses to a questionnaire probing menstrual and premenstrual health, and daily fluid consumption, which was mailed to female university students in Oregon. Analysis of the data revealed that consumption of caffeine-containing beverages was strongly related to the prevalence of premenstrual syndrome. Among women with more severe symptoms, the relation between consumption of caffeine-containing beverages and premenstrual syndrome was dose-dependent, with prevalence odds ratios equal to 1.3 for consumers of one cup of a caffeine-containing beverage per day and increasing steadily to 7.0 for consumers of eight to 10 cups per day. The effects were apparent among both caffeine-containing tea/coffee consumers and caffeine-containing soda consumers. The observed effects were only slightly reduced when daily total fluid consumption was controlled. Daily total fluid consumption also was related to the prevalence of premenstrual symptoms although the effects were large only for consumers of 13-19 cups of fluid per day (the largest amount studied).

Adolescent↗

Changing fruit and vegetable consumption among children: the 5-a-Day Power Plus program in St. Paul, Minnesota.

OBJECTIVES: A randomized school based trial sought to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children using a multicomponent approach. METHODS: The intervention, conducted in 20 elementary schools in St. Paul, targeted a multiethnic group of children who were in the fourth grade in spring 1995 and the fifth grade in fall 1995. The intervention consisted of behavioral curricula in classrooms, parental involvement, school food service changes, and industry support and involvement. Lunchroom observations and 24-hour food recalls measured food consumption. Parent telephone surveys and a health behavior questionnaire measured psychosocial factors. RESULTS: The intervention increased lunchtime fruit consumption and combined fruit and vegetable consumption, lunchtime vegetable consumption among girls, and daily fruit consumption as well as the proportion of total daily calories attributable to fruits and vegetables. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent school-based programs can increase fruit and vegetable consumption among children. Greater involvement of parents and more attention to increasing vegetable consumption, especially among boys, remain challenges in future intervention research.

Child↗

Time-of-day effects of ethanol consumption on EEG topography and cognitive event-related potential in adult males.

Time-of-day effects of ethanol consumption on EEG topography and cognitive event-related potential in adult males were studied. Ethanol (0.5 g/kg) or control drink was orally administered to nine healthy males at 10:00 and 18:00. The alpha 2 amplitude was significantly lower than that of the control at 0.5, 2.5 and 4.5 hours after ethanol consumption in the morning. These effects were observed in the left hemisphere and were only found after consumption in the morning. The subjectively rated attention was significantly lower than that of the control at 0.5 and 2.5 hours after ethanol consumption in the morning and at 0.5 hours after ethanol consumption in the evening. In contrast, the search speed of serial search task and P300 amplitude was significantly lower than that of the control at 2.5 hours after ethanol consumption in the evening. These results demonstrate that effects of ethanol are dependent on time-of-day of consumption. Ethanol consumption significantly lowered the alpha 2 amplitude when consumed in the morning, and lowered P300 amplitude when consumed in the evening.

Adult↗

Estimation of genetic parameters for growth, feed consumption, and conformation traits for double-muscled Belgian blue bulls performance-tested in Belgium.

For 1,442 Belgian Blue bulls performance-tested at the Centre de Sélection de la Race Blanc-Bleue Belge, nine traits were observed: height at withers at 7 mo, height at withers at 13 mo, weight at 7 mo, weight at 13 mo, average feed consumption of concentrates, average daily gain, average feed consumption of concentrates per average daily gain, average feed consumption of concentrates per mean metabolic weight, and price per kilogram of live weight. This price is based on muscle conformation and is therefore used as muscle conformation score. Restricted maximum likelihood with a derivative-free algorithm was used to estimate (co)variance components because there were different models and missing values per trait. Estimates of heritabilities were above .50 except for average feed consumption per average daily gain (.16) and average feed consumption per mean metabolic weight (.33). Estimates of genetic and phenotypic correlations between height at withers and weight traits were positive and moderate to high. Average daily gain showed a negative genetic correlation with weight at 7 mo (-.68) but had positive correlations with height at withers at 13 mo and weight at 13 mo (.22 and .43). Muscle conformation expressed as price per kilogram of live weight was related to low average feed consumption per average daily gain. Average feed consumption showed high correlations with weight at 7 mo and weight at 13 mo. Average feed consumption per average daily gain had a high negative genetic correlation with average daily gain (-.89).

Animals↗

The water/food consumption relationships of severely underfed immature rats.

To determine the water and food consumption relationships of immature rats during severe undernutrition, water and food consumption rates and ratios of 35 male albino rats underfed from birth and re-fed starting at 20, 30, 40 and 50 days of age (6 rats in each group) or not re-fed (11 rats) were estimated between the ages of 25 and 70 days and compared with those of 30 age-mate control rats. Severely underfed rats consumed water at rates near the maximum for their body size and out of proportion with the food consumed. The water/food consumption ratio (mean 2.09 +/- 0.07) was significantly higher than that of the control rats (mean 1.47 "0.01 (P less than 0.0012). During re-feeding, the food consumption rate increased more (62%) than the water consumption rate did (9%); and the water/food consumption ratio decreased to a level (1.40 +/- 0.04 not significantly different from that of the control rats. Thus, during periods of severe underfeeding and re-feeding, water and food consumption rates of immature rats may change fairly independently of each other, leading to variations in the water/food consumption relationships.

Animals↗

High alcohol consumption, liver toxic drugs and brain damage--a population study.

Computed tomography (CT) of the brain was performed in a random sample of 195 men to investigate the relationship between alcohol drinking and brain damage. This sample from the general population was divided into subsamples on the basis of their self-reported loss of control over drinking, morning drinks and blackouts. Three groups with different degrees of alcohol consumption were distinguished and the only differences in CT findings were a significantly higher frequency of frontal lobe atrophy with increasing alcohol consumption. The consumption of hepatotoxic drugs was also investigated and the following were the types of drug used: antiarrhythmics, antiepileptics, antibiotics, antiphlogistics, mixed analgetics, sulphonamides, benzodiazepines and derivatives of phenothiazines, all of which are metabolized by way of the liver. The material was divided into four groups with regard to both alcohol consumption and use of hepatotoxic drugs: Group IA, low or moderate alcohol consumption and no use of such drugs; IB, low or moderate alcohol consumption with use of such drugs; IIA, high alcohol consumption with no use of such drugs; and IIB, high alcohol consumption with use of such drugs. Group IIB was found to have a higher incidence of cortical and subcortical changes than group IA. The results indicate that drug use influences the incidence of cortical and subcortical aberrations. It is concluded that there is a typical frontal lobe atrophy associated with alcohol abuse; thus with increasing alcohol ingestion there is accelerated shrinkage of the brain, the frontal lobe being the first part affected. The groups with alcohol abuse who used hepatotoxic drugs show a picture of cortical changes and also of subcortical aberrations, expressed as an increased anterior horn index and widening of the third ventricle.

Adult↗

Application of the transtheoretical model to fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents: preliminary findings.

PURPOSE: To examine the application of the transtheoretical model (TTM) to fruit and vegetable consumption among economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. METHODS: Scales for measuring decisional balance, situational self-efficacy, and processes of change for fruit and vegetable consumption were developed and pretested with 57 economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents. The scales and measures for assessing stages of change, demographic variables, and fruit and vegetable consumption were administered to a separate sample of 262 participants. t-tests for independent samples and analysis of variance were used to examine differences in TTM variables and fruit and vegetable consumption across stages of change. RESULTS: Two-factor solutions for decisional balance and processes of change and a three-factor solution for situational self-efficacy provided the best fit to the data. Alpha coefficients of reliability for the scales ranged from .77 (experiential change processes) to .91 (pros). Participants in action-maintenance stages evidenced higher pros, self-efficacy, and fruit and vegetable consumption and significantly lower cons than did participants in precontemplation and contemplation-preparation stages. Also, participants in action-maintenance stages used processes of change more frequently than did those in precontemplation-contemplation-preparation stages. The use of experiential and behavioral processes within these stages did not differ significantly, as posited. DISCUSSION: Observed differences in TTM variables and fruit and vegetable consumption by stage of change in this sample of economically disadvantaged African-American adolescents were consistent with theory and previous applications of the model to fruit and vegetable consumption in adults. With replication studies, the TTM may be appropriate for designing interventions to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among this population.

Adolescent↗

[Tobacco consumption and bladder cancer mortality in Spain].

OBJECTIVES: To establish the trend of the bladder cancer adjusted mortality and its correlation with tobacco consumption in different Spanish Autonomic Communities over a 15 year period. METHODS: We evaluate the trends of mortality rates associated with bladder cancer between January 1st 1989 and December 31st 2002 in the geographic area of Spain, as well as the tendency of tobacco consumption. Demographic and mortality data were obtained from the National Institute of Statistics, and consumption data were obtained from the Commissioner for the Tobacco Market in the Spanish Economics and Finances Ministry. We calculate the average number of cigarettes (1 package = 20 cigarettes) consumed per person; we also calculate bladder cancer adjusted mortality rates, presented as number of deaths for that cause per 100.000 persons year, and the ratio between number of packages of cigarettes consumed and adjusted mortality rate. We determine the yearly percentage increase over the whole period of study for both the mortality rate and tobacco consumption, and evaluate their correlation by the Spearman's coefficient. RESULTS: Mean adjusted bladder cancer mortality rate over the period of study was 9.4 deaths per 100.000 habitants year, and mean tobacco consumption was 109.7 packages per person year. There has been a 2.05% yearly increase of bladder cancer associated mortality, mean cigarette consumption has diminished 1.3% per year. The Spearman's test did not show any correlation between both factors (p = 0.722). CONCLUSIONS: Despite preventive measures for tobacco addiction in our country, there is an important continuous consumption. The increase in the incidence of bladder cancer does not seem to be related with higher tobacco consumption currently, therefore it may be related with other genetic or environmental factors.

Humans↗

Licit psychostimulant consumption in Australia, 1984-2000: international and jurisdictional comparison.

OBJECTIVES: To examine trends in the licit consumption of the psychostimulants dexamphetamine and methylphenidate in Australia and nine other countries from 1994 to 2000 and in each State and Territory of Australia from 1984 to 2000. DESIGN: Annual rates of consumption of psychostimulants were compared using Poisson regression models. All drug consumption was standardised to defined daily doses per 1000 population per day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of consumption of each psychostimulant in each country and in each Australian State and Territory. RESULTS: For the 10 countries from 1994 to 2000, total psychostimulant consumption increased by an average 12% per year, with the highest increase from 1998 to 2000. Australia and New Zealand ranked third in total psychostimulant use after the United States and Canada. Australia consumed significantly more than the United Kingdom, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, France or Denmark. In Australia, from 1984 to 2000, the rate of consumption of licit psychostimulants increased by 26% per year, with an 8.46-fold increase from 1994 to 2000. Western Australia ranked first, with nearly twice the consumption rate of total psychostimulants as New South Wales, which ranked second. Methylphenidate is the main psychostimulant consumed in the US and Canada, and dexamphetamine in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: The consumption of psychostimulants in Australia is high internationally and varies significantly between States and Territories. The results imply varied jurisdictional prescribing determinants and supply processes throughout Australia, which may require new national prescribing standards and access to online patient data for prescribers and dispensers.

Australia↗