RESUMO
Objective: To analyze the drinking practice of people in China. Method: The data of 2002 China National Nutrition and Health Survey was used for this study. 159 117 subjects aged 15 years and over were involved. The information on drinking practice was collected using interview-administrated questionnaire. Results: The overall current drinking rate of people in China was 21.0%, 39.6% for male and 4.5% for female, respectively. The current drinking rates in urban and rural areas were 20.9% and 21.0%, respectively. The 45 to 59 years age group reached the highest. The rate of onset age of drinking younger than 18 years old was 8.8% in current drinkers. 39.9% male and 29.5% female current drinkers drank at least once a day. Distilled spirits was the first choice for 50.3% current drinkers. 58.2% male drinkers and 77.3% female drinkers consumed 100-150g and 50-100g distilled spirits, respectively. Conclusion: Alcohol drinking has become a public health problem in China, it is necessary to carry out further surveys to reveal the influencing factors.