The purpose of this report is to investigate whether the subset of the United States population at elevated risk for alcohol use disorders, as indicated by a family history of alcoholism, have experienced greater increases in obesity than the subset of the population with no family history of alcoholism. We accomplish this by examining data from repeated cross-sectional samples of the non-institutionalized, adult population of the United States in the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey (NLAES, 1991–92) and the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcoholism and Related Conditions (NESARC, 2001–02). With over 40,000 participants in each survey, we were able to investigate whether increases in obesity have been more prominent in individuals with a family history of alcoholism, or in other words, whether the association between family history of alcoholism and obesity has increased over time. We also investigate whether any such changes can be attributed to confounding sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol use, or depression. A clearer understanding of the relationship between familial risk for addiction, obesity, and the changing environment, may help inform prevention and treatment efforts for the subpopulation of obese individuals who are prone to addictive behaviors.
