The number of Irish men and women who are binge drinking is continuing to rise, according to a study to be published today.
The National Health & Lifestyle Surveys show binge drinking among men has increased from 35 per cent to 41 per cent over the past four years. Among women the increase has been from 12 to 16 per cent.
Binge drinking is used to describe those who have more than six drinks in succession.
The study, commissioned by the Department of Health and carried out by the centre for health promotion studies at the National University of Ireland Galway, also found one-third of men and almost a quarter of women consume more than the recommended weekly amount of alcohol.
More than 12,000 men, women and children were surveyed for this report, which is the second in a series produced in recent years. The first was published in 1999. It looks at the health and lifestyle of adults and the health behaviour of school-aged children.
The Irish Times has learned that the surveys also found an increase in obesity levels among Irish people. It found obesity had increased to 13 per cent, up from 10 per cent, since the previous study.
It states that 34 per cent of people in the State are now overweight and 13 per cent are obese.
Earlier this month the EU Commissioner, Mr David Byrne ,expressed concerns that an "obesity epidemic" was developing among adolescents across Europe, including Ireland, and nothing short of a behavioural revolution would stop it. The issue of obesity in children is to be discussed at next week's annual conference of the Irish Medical Organisation.
The surveys also look at smoking, contraception, drug abuse and eating habits.