Consumption of energy drinks among Québec college students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Consumption of energy drinks (ED) raises concerns because of adverse health effects possibly linked with high levels of caffeine and sugar intake. The study looks at the scope of ED consumption as well as some of the associated characteristics.METHODS: Thirty-six public colleges in the Canadian province of Québec agreed to participate in a descriptive cross-sectional study (n = 36). In February 2013, participating colleges invited their students to answer an online questionnaire on consumption of ED, alcoholic ED (AED), and ED in combination with other psychotropic drugs. A descriptive and correlational analysis was carried out. Logistic regressions explored associations between ED consumption and associated characteristics. RESULTS:Of the students who successfully completed the questionnaire and participated in the study (n = 10,283), a low proportion consumed ED (9.1%; n = 935) and/or AED (1.1%; n = 109) at least once a week in the previous month. Although low in proportion, a number of participants reported having used ED with other stimulant psychoactive substances (n = 247) and ≥3 ED/day (n = 193) or ≥3 AED/occasion (n = 167), which can pose a risk for serious adverse effects. Weekly ED consumption was associated with consumption of ≥20 cups of coffee/week, smoking, excessive use of alcohol and past use of cannabis, glues or solvents and amphetamines.CONCLUSION: A majority of respondents are not heavy users of ED, AED, or ED with drugs. Yet, the profiles of ED consumption potentially harmful to health that characterize some participants indicate that the potential health consequences of such behaviour are of concern.KEY WORDS: Adolescent; young adult; energy drinks; caffeine; alcoholic beverages; psychotropic drugs La traduction du résumé se trouve à la fin de l'article.Can J Public Health 2016;107(6):e514-e519 doi: 10.17269/CJPH.107.5536 T he energy drink (ED) phenomenon is an emerging public health issue. Over the past few years, the ED market has been booming. 1 Advertising suggests that ED can be consumed in significant quantities and trivializes their frequent use. However, the composition of energy drinks poses potential health risks. The high caffeine content can cause heart palpitations, abdominal pain, nausea and insomnia; 2 the sugar added to many ED promotes obesity and dental caries. 3,4 Some researchers also report that ED are among the substances consumed by individuals with polysubstance use profiles. 5-9 Alcoholic energy drinks (AED) seem to reduce perceptions of being drunk, 10 which leads to increased alcohol ingestion 6,11,12 and adoption of risky behaviours such as drinking and driving. 6,12 Use of ED together with other psychotropic drugs also presents health risks. This behaviour raises concerns, especially because of the synergic effects of combining stimulants (e.g., ED and amphetamines). 13 Despite the potentially harmful effects, to our knowledge, simultaneous use of ED and illicit drugs has not been studied (except for AED). Although several studies on ED amon...

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

“…Our findings indicated that about one-fourth Taiwanese undergraduate students had consumed EDs in the past 30 days, which is lower than the prevalence rates reported in other countries [ 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. This difference in prevalence rates could be expected because EDs are a relatively new type of beverage in Taiwan, and consuming tea, also a caffeinated beverage, is popular in Taiwanese culture.…”

“…Never, ≤1 time/week, 2–3 times/week, 4–5 times/week, or ≥6 times/week (every day or almost every day)”. Those who consumed at least one energy drink during the past 30 days were defined as ED users in this study [ 16 , 17 ], and they were asked to complete the third section of questionnaire concerning patterns and reasons of ED use. Those ED users were also asked whether they have ever read the nutrition label of ED products, whether they are aware of the effective contents of ED products, and whether they have ever used EDs combined with alcohol.…”

“…Those regulations include labeling “high caffeine content”, suggesting a maximum daily consumption, indicating that EDs should not be mixed with alcohol, or even prohibiting their sale [ 1 , 12 , 13 ]. The consumption patterns of EDs and the hazardous use of alcohol mixed with EDs amongst undergraduate students in various countries have been well documented [ 3 , 6 , 11 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. However, little is known about Taiwanese adolescents’ and young adults’ consumption of EDs, particularly undergraduate students who are the primary targets of ED advertising campaigns.…”

Intensity of Energy Drink Use Plus Alcohol Predict Risky Health Behaviours among University Students in the Caribbean

“…The use of energy drinks is prevalent among college students and young adults in many countries [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. With their ongoing popularity and minimal regulatory policies, there continues to be concern over the potentially harmful impact of excessive caffeine intake on general health when these drinks are consumed [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Studies on energy drink use among tertiary level students have consistently shown that ED use is more common and occurs to a greater extent among males than females [ 4 , 6 , 7 , 34 , 38 ], with few exceptions [ 1 ]. However, studies have generally overlooked whether the relationship between energy drink use and risky behaviours varies by gender.…”