Adverse effects associated with excessive caffeine consumption combined with increasing numbers and availability of caffeine-containing products are causes for concern. Tertiary students may be at increased risk of consuming excessive amounts of caffeine due to seeking caffeinated products with well-known wakefulness effects and cognitive benefits. This study explored caffeine consumption habits of New Zealand tertiary students (317; ≥16-years) using a previously validated caffeine consumption habits (CaffCo) questionnaire. Most (99.1%) regularly consumed caffeinated products, especially chocolate, coffee and tea, with coffee, tea and energy drinks contributing most to total caffeine intake. Median estimated caffeine intake was 146.73 mg·day−1, or 2.25 mg·kgbw−1·day−1. Maximum and minimum intakes were 1988.14 mg·day−1 (23.51 mg·kgbw−1·day−1) and 0.07 mg·day−1 (0.02 mg·kgbw−1·day−1), respectively. One-third (34.4%) of caffeine consumers ingested caffeine above the adverse effect level (3 mg·kgbw−1·day−1) and 14.3% above the safe limit (400 mg·day−1). Most caffeine consumers (84.7%), reported experiencing at least one ‘adverse symptom’ post-caffeine consumption, of which 25.7% reported effects leading to distress or negatively impacting their life. Experiencing ‘adverse symptoms’ did not, however, curtail consumption in the majority of symptomatic participants (~77%). Public health initiatives directed at tertiary students may be important to reduce potential caffeine-related harm.

Caffeine-related health incidents in New Zealand have escalated over the last two decades. In order to reduce the risk of substance-related harm, it is important to understand the consumers’ motivations for its use. This is especially true for tertiary students who are presumed to be at a higher risk due to seeking out caffeine’s well-known cognitive benefits as well as the targeted marketing of such products to young adults. This study examined the habits and motivations for caffeine consumption in tertiary students in New Zealand. A previously validated caffeine consumption-habits (CaffCo) questionnaire was administered online to 317 tertiary students (n = 169 females), aged ≥16 years. Of the 99.1% of participants who regularly consumed caffeine, coffee (76.3%) tea (71.6%) and chocolate (81.7%) consumption were the most prevalent. Motivations for caffeinated-product consumption differed according to caffeine source. Tea was consumed for the warmth and taste, coffee was consumed to stay awake and for warmth, and chocolate, for the taste and as a treat. Marketing was not identified by participants as influencing their consumption of caffeinated products. Knowledge of motivations for caffeine consumption may assist in identifying strategies to reduce caffeine intake in those New Zealand tertiary students who regularly consume amounts of caffeine that exceed safe level.

Background: Caffeine-related health incidents in New Zealand have escalated over the last twodecades. [...]