Ethanol consumption does not promote weight gain in female mice.

Background: The prevalence of obese adult women has increased dramatically in the United States. Individuals consuming alcoholic beverages may obtain as much as 6-10% of their calories from ethanol; consequently, ethanol may contribute to a positive energy balance and weight gain in women consuming ethanol. The objective of these studies is to determine if ethanol consumption affects weight gain or body fat levels in female mice.

Methods: In order to determine the effects of ethanol consumption on weight gain, female mice were given either water or 20% w/v ethanol in the drinking water; mice were then placed on 1 of 3 diets for 20 weeks: (1) 30% calorie-restricted diet, (2) low-fat diet or (3) high-fat diet. Mice were scanned using a GE Lunar Piximus Densitometer to determine body fat, lean body mass and bone mineral density.

Results: Mice consuming the high-fat diet had the highest body weight. Moreover, ovariectomy exacerbated the effects of the high-fat diet. That is, ovariectomized female mice consuming the high-fat diet gained a higher amount of body weight and adipose tissue than non-ovariectomized mice consuming the high-fat diet. Ethanol-consuming mice did not have a higher susceptibility to gaining body weight or body fat, even though they tended to have higher caloric intake than water-consuming mice.

Conclusions: In female mice that consumed a high-fat diet, chronic ethanol consumption did not increase susceptibility to gaining weight or becoming obese.