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Topical Area: Community and Public Health Nutrition

Community and Public Health Nutrition (Poster Session)

(P24-066-23) Participation in Alcohol Free for 40 With Self-Tracking of Laboratory Values and Physical Metrics Improves Biometric Measures; A Three-Year Retrospective Analysis

Monday, July 24, 2023
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM ET
Location: Poster Board 477
Disclosure(s):
Megan B. Knapp, PhD, MPH: No relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.


Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether improvements in physiological markers of health would result from participation in a voluntary, community-based temporary alcohol abstinence program, Alcohol Free for 40 (AFF40).

Methods: This study was a retrospective quantitative data review of three cohorts of AFF40 participants. Within six regions of Louisiana, individuals over the age of 21 with no known alcohol use disorder were recruited for participation in 2019, 2020, and 2021 cohorts of the AFF40 program. The program supported self-directed, 40-day alcohol abstinence and included components such as webinars and communication campaigns. Peripheral blood draw and physical metrics were taken prior to the program and after program completion. Participant pre- and post-program laboratory and biometric data were compared using paired t-tests. The main outcomes of interest were changes in inflammatory markers, liver enzymes, cholesterol, B12, weight, body fat, and blood pressure.

Results: Retention rates for participation were 63% (113/179; 2019), 23% (105/449; 2020), and 86% (344/400; 2021), despite the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Maximal average changes were - 9 mmHg in systolic blood pressure, -4.3 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, and -5.7 pounds of weight (all p< 0.0001). Liver enzymes decreased; alanine aminotransferase decreased by 5.6 U/L, aspartate transaminase by 4.8 U/L, and gamma glutamyl transferase by 8.7 U/L (all p< 0.0001). Vitamin B12 increased by 54.6 pg/mL (p < 0.01). Total cholesterol dropped by 15.8 mg/dL (p < 0.0001) from pre- to post-program.

Conclusions: Individuals engaged in abstinence programming and utilizing self-track biometric measures during a 40-day challenge effectively improved liver enzymes, cholesterol, body fat, weight, blood pressure, and other factors reliably.  Community-based temporary abstinence programs among alcohol consumers without established liver disease and/or an identified alcohol use disorder can lead to positive physiological health outcomes.

Funding Sources: Ochsner Health