Which factor affects how quickly a person's BAC rises?

Several factors affect how quickly a person's BAC rises, including their body weight, the rate at which they drink, whether they have eaten (food slows alcohol absorption), their biological sex, and the strength of the drinks. A smaller person drinking quickly on an empty stomach will reach a higher BAC faster than a larger person sipping slowly after a meal. Servers use this understanding to anticipate when a customer may be approaching intoxication, even before obvious signs appear, and to pace service accordingly.