Warning over-45s risk health by boozing the most

BABY boomers booze more regularly than any other age group – and binge drink the most. Over-45s are putting their health at risk by frequently exceeding guidelines on what it is safe to drink. The Office for National Statistics for England found 55 to 64-year-olds were particularly likely to be drinking “at higher or increasing risk levels”. Dr Tony Rao, substance misuse expert at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said: “While the rest of the population reduces its alcohol intake, baby boomers are drinking at a similar rate as before – and exceeding recommended guidelines. People expect to live longer, so they aren’t slowing down just because they’re in their 60s.” Last year 60% of women and 69% of men aged 45 to 64 had drunk in the last week, the highest proportion of any age group. Also 13% of women aged 65 and over drink on five or more days, the most of any female group. A quarter of men aged 65 and over also drink on five or more days, also the highest of any age group of men. Such regular drinking is more than three times more likely among those 65 and over than for 16 to 24-year-olds. The 45 to 64-year-olds are also the most likely to binge drink, which is classed as four or more units in a session for men, three for women. High earners on £40,000 or more are also more likely to be frequent and binge drinkers. Dr Rao warned: “This is a wake-up call to take stock of drinking to reduce problems.”