Consumption of Energy Drinks among Undergraduate Students in Taiwan: Related Factors and Associations with Substance Use

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the consumption of energy drinks and associated factors among undergraduate students in Taiwan. Methods: Data came from a cross-sectional survey conducted in 2015. Eligible participants completed a self-administered questionnaire assessing use and perceptions of energy drinks, tobacco, alcohol, and betel nut. Results: Among 606 surveyed undergraduate students, 24.8% reported consuming energy drinks in the past 30 days. The major reasons for use included keeping alert at work (48.7%), being curious about the products (32.0%), enjoying the flavor (31.3%), or preparing for school exams (26.7%). Among energy drink users, half have never read the nutrition label, and 15.3% reported that they had ever mixed energy drinks with alcohol. Most participants showed negative attitudes toward using tobacco, alcohol, or betel nut, while 54.1% reported positive attitudes toward consuming energy drinks. Being male, living away from parents’ home, tobacco use, alcohol use, and positive perceptions of energy drink’s effects significantly predicted energy drink consumption. Conclusions: In addition to exploring motivations of energy drink consumption in undergraduate students in Taiwan, the study findings indicated that energy drink consumption might relate to the use of tobacco and alcohol, which should be taken into account in substance use prevention programs.

Demographic profile, pattern, practice of energy drink and substance use among undergraduate students in BPKIHS

“…1 Chang et al found that the prevalence of energy drink consumption among undergraduate students in Taiwan was 24.8%, among them 48% used alcohol and 22.7% used tobacco. 5 Similarly, Friis et al reported that 15.8% of participants used energy drinks weekly basis, in which 26.5% used tobacco, and 44.9% drank alcohol (include both high risk and binge drink). 9 However, this present study showed a more proportion of energy drink users was consumed alcohol (67.7%), tobacco (34.9%), and marijuana (15.6%) as compared to Chang et al and Friis et al studies.…”

“…9 However, this present study showed a more proportion of energy drink users was consumed alcohol (67.7%), tobacco (34.9%), and marijuana (15.6%) as compared to Chang et al and Friis et al studies. 5,9 Because the consumption of energy drinks and substances is influenced by socio-demographic factors, education level, peer pressure, independent lifestyle, stressful activities, psychological factors and many more. 2,5,10 It is interesting to find that, a greater proportion of frequent energy drink users (daily or 1-4 times per week) were used more substances.…”

“…5,9 Because the consumption of energy drinks and substances is influenced by socio-demographic factors, education level, peer pressure, independent lifestyle, stressful activities, psychological factors and many more. 2,5,10 It is interesting to find that, a greater proportion of frequent energy drink users (daily or 1-4 times per week) were used more substances. Among daily user of energy drinks, 87.9% used alcohol, 60.6% used tobacco, and 39.4% used marijuana.…”

“…Students who had consumed at least one energy drink during the past 30 days was defined as an energy drink user. 5 The mixing practice was defined as the mixing of energy drink together with alcohol or consumed energy drink within 2 hours before or in between or 2 hours after the alcoholic drinks. 7,8 Based on mixing practice, students were categorized into three categories: a) Energy drinks mixed with alcohol (Alcohol + Energy drink), b) Alcohol mixed with other non-alcoholic beverages (Alcohol + Other beverages), and c) Only alcohol used, not mixed with other beverages (Only Alcohol).…”

“…Several studies done worldwide have linked many health hazards and increased risk-taking behavior like substance misuse after the frequent use of energy drink alone or combination with alcohol. 2,5 Although, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has banned the use of caffeine as a food additive for alcoholic beverages since 2010. 6 Till date, no study has been conducted in Nepal to observe the pattern and practice of energy drinks and other substance used among undergraduate medical students.…”