Energy Drink Consumption, Depression, and Salutogenic Sense of Coherence Among Adolescents and Young Adults

Abstract

The prevalence of energy drink consumption has increased in Hungary over the past 10–15 years. This study assesses the frequency, motivations, and adverse effects of energy drink consumption, and examines how the process of becoming a regular consumer is connected with sense of coherence and depression symptoms. A total of 631 high school and college students were assessed using the Depression Scale (BDS-13) and Sense of Coherence Scale (SOC-13). Logistic regression models were fit to test the effect of and links between factors influencing addiction to energy drink use. A total of 31.1% (95% CI: 27.4–34.7) of those surveyed consumed energy drinks, 24.0% of those affected consumed the energy drink with alcohol, 71.4% (95% CI: 64.7–77.3) experienced adverse effects following energy drink consumption, and 10.2% (95% CI: 6.7–15.2) experienced at least four symptoms simultaneously. The most common motivations of consumption were fatigue, taste, and fun. Obtained by multivariate logistic regression models, after adjustment for sex and age, SOC and tendency to depression had a significant influence on the respondents’ odds of addiction. The tendency to depression increases the chances of addiction, while a strong sense of coherence diminishes the effects of depression. Young people in Hungary have been shown to consume energy drinks in quantities that are detrimental to their health. Complex preventive measures and programs are needed to address the problem. Families and educators should strive to instill a strong sense of coherence in children from an early age.

Energy Drink Consumption among Adolescents Attending Schools in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

“…The latter is in accordance with a study conducted in the USA [13,23], where it was 10% in college students aged 18 years [23]. A recent study showed that consumption of EDs can be associated with substance use such as cigarette smoking, binge drinking and opioid use among middle and high school students [24]. In young people, the primary side effects of consuming EDs include tachycardia, insomnia and tremors [25].…”

Effects of Energy Drink Consumption on Physical Performance and Potential Danger of Inordinate Usage

“…As shaking hands is the one of the most common side effects [ 60 ], it may exert a negative effect on the final outcome in sport disciplines where precision is required. On the other hand, a study where an association between ED consumption and mental problems was investigated presented that young people who ingested EDs and were engaged in physical activity reported less symptoms of depression [ 75 ]. Similar findings were observed in previously mentioned studies where none of subjects experienced any mental side effect [ 53 , 57 , 58 ].…”

Predictors of Adolescent Depressive Symptoms

“…Additionally, the study using analysis of structural equation modeling found that SES was associated with adolescent depressive symptoms indirectly through maternal care separately, as well as through maternal care and adolescent SOC sequentially [ 37 ]. Furthermore, a recent study found that adolescents with a weaker sense of coherence and a tendency toward depression were much more likely to become addicted to energy drinks, while a strong sense of coherence diminishes the effects of depression [ 20 ]. Mental health complaints have also shown to commonly co-occur and highly correlate with somatic health complaints (reoccurring pains and aches) in adolescent population studies [ 1 ].…”

“…Literatures sources indicate that symptoms of depression were frequent in adolescents and were associated with unhealthy lifestyle factors such as low physical activity [ 42 ]. Other research finding suggest that exercise may help to mitigate symptoms of depression by reducing inflammation [ 21 ] and those adolescents that were active in sports were significantly less likely to report symptoms of depression [ 20 ]. We investigated gender differences in depressive symptoms among adolescents and found that girls are affected twice as often as boys (β = −0.056, p < 0.001) and our findings coincide with literature data [ 43 ].…”

“…Lifestyle factors may be also linked to depressive symptoms among adolescents. The relationship between screen-based sedentary behaviors and symptoms of depression has been established [ 19 ] and those who were active in sports were significantly less likely to report symptoms of depression [ 20 ]. Research findings suggest that moderate-intensity exercise may be an optimal intensity of exercise for the promotion of mental health [ 21 ].…”