Characteristics Associated with Consumption of Sports and Energy Drinks among US Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2010

Abstract

Sales of sports and energy drinks have increased dramatically, but there is limited information on regular consumers of sports and energy drinks. Characteristics associated with sports and energy drink intake were examined among a sample representing the civilian noninstitutionalized US adult population. The 2010 National Health Interview Survey data for 25,492 adults (18 years of age or older; 48% males) were used. Nationwide, 31.3% of adults were sports and energy drink consumers during the past 7 days, with 21.5% consuming sports and energy drinks one or more times per week and 11.5% consuming sports and energy drinks three or more times per week. Based on multivariable logistic regression, younger adults, males, non-Hispanic blacks and Hispanics, not-married individuals, adults with higher family income, those who lived in the South or West, adults who engaged in leisure-time physical activity, current smokers, and individuals whose satisfaction with their social activities/relationships was excellent had significantly higher odds for drinking sports and energy drinks one or more times per week. In this model, the factor most strongly associated with weekly sports and energy drink consumption was age (odds ratio [OR]=10.70 for 18-to 24-year-olds, OR=6.40 for 25-to 39-year-olds, OR=3.17 for 40-to 59-year-olds vs 60 years or older). Lower odds for consuming sports and energy drinks one or more times per week were associated with other/multiracial (OR=0.80 vs non-Hispanic white) and obesity (OR=0.87 vs underweight/normal weight). Separate modeling of the association between other beverage intake and sports and energy drink intake showed that higher intake of regular soda, sweetened coffee/tea drinks, fruit drinks, milk, 100% fruit juice, and alcohol were significantly associated with greater odds for drinking sports and energy drinks one or more times per week. These findings can help medical care providers and public health officials identify adults most in need of encouragement to reduce sports and energy drink intake and increase healthier beverage intake.Address correspondence to: Sohyun Park, PhD, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway, Mailstop K26, NE, Atlanta, GA 30341. spark3@cdc.gov. STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTERESTNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors. 14,15,18 and are marketed as a means of improving athletic performance by replacing electrolytes and fluid lost in sweat during and after intense physical activity. 15,18 In contrast to sports drinks, energy drinks typically contain stimulants (eg, caffeine and guarana) and amino acids (eg, taurine), as well as added sugars and often vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. 14,15,19 Energy drinks are marketed as a means of boosting energy, decreasing feelings of tiredness, and enhancing mental alertness. 15,19 Some cans of energy drinks contain >500 mg of caffein...

Energy Drink Use Among Ohio Appalachian Smokers

“…This is consistent with previous research [21, 31] and would be expected given that energy drinks are heavily marketed towards young adults. Contrary to previous research, male gender was only significantly associated with ever having used an energy drink but not with past 30 day use (although males were more likely to have used within the past 30 days).…”

Sports and energy drink consumption are linked to health-risk behaviours among young adults

“…Additionally, the findings build on a growing number of studies that have raised concerns about the contribution of sugar-sweetened beverages to overall energy, added sugar, and sodium consumption among young adults (3, 16, 39) . The American Heart Association recommends that calories from added sugar be limited to approximately 418 kJ [100 kcal] per day for women and 628 kJ [150 kcal] per day for men (40) .…”

Energy Drinks: a Potentially Overlooked Obesity Correlate

“…Yet, most of this literature failed to even discuss sugar content and largely focused on adverse effects due to the link between energy drinks and caffeine consumption, energy drinks and risk-taking behavior, in general, or sugary drinks excluding energy or sports drinks. However, in addition to the aforementioned points about energy drinks and the possible link between excess usage and obesity and among research focusing on the present topic of interest, a recent report by Park et al, 11 found that a high intake of regular soda, sweetened coffee or tea, fruit drinks, milk and alcohol were associated with a greater odds for drinking sports and energy drinks, which may not be acknowledged as sources of sugar. According to one report, 12 this may be because, while energy and sports drinks may have fewer calories and less sugar than regular soda, they enjoy health 'halos' that are not warranted due to an advertising focus on their cognitive benefits.…”

“…In addition, the many young people who continue to ingest regular soda, sweetened drinks and fruit drinks, may be more likely to also choose to drink sports and energy drinks on a weekly basis than those who don't, as well as suffering possible sleep loss, an obesity determinant. 11 Yet, despite the magnitude of the obesity problem among youth and adults and the possibility that energy and sports drinks may be compounding this, there are very few active solutions discussed or reported in the available literature about what should be done to combat this threat. Indeed, very few articles on this topic as a whole exist given that what has been published has raised highly significant concerns about the role of energy drinks in general and its sugar content in particular in a society where obesity is rampant and product consumption is encouraged through intense targeted marketing and has been increasing rapidly over the past 7-10years.…”