Prevalence and Side Effects of Energy Drink Consumption among Medical Students at Umm Al-Qura University, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Energy drinks are freely available at markets and shops on the university campus without regulation or proper education regarding its side effects. The caffeine amount within energy drinks is high and could become an addictive substance or cause intoxication. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence of energy drink consumption and its reported side effects among medical students. Methods: A total number of 257 medical students from Umm Al-Qura University completed a questionnaire about energy drinks that was administrated electronically from September through November, 2012. Results: Out of the 257 participants, 27.2% (n=70) reported consu­ming at least one energy drink per month, with 61.5% (n=48) being males. Males consume significantly more energy drinks than females (p=0.0001). The students consumed energy drinks to get energy in general (32.8%) and while studying for exams or finishing a project (31.4%). Other reasons given include, lack of sleep (12.8%), just to be like friends (11.4%), or driving (8.5%). Heart palpitations are the most common side effect in our sample (20%), followed by insomnia (10%), headache and tremors (5.7%), nausea and vomiting (4.2%) and nervousness (2.8%). Conclusion: Energy drinks consumption is common practice among medical students and the main reason cited for consumption is the need for energy during general activities. Approximately one-third of the consumers manifested some side effect after consumption. We recommend the need to create public awareness about energy drinks. Further studies are recommended to assess the educational level of students consuming energy drinks, about the dangerous side effects.

Energy Drinks Consumption amongst Medical Students and Interns from Three Colleges in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

“…This rate is considered a high rate. It is higher than other two studies; one study among the first & second year medical students in Puerto Rico where the prevalence of use was 29% [19] and the second among 257 medical students enrolled in Umm Al-Qura governmental University, Makkah, KSA where the rate was 27.2% [4]. The cause of discrepancy between the current and the Puerto Rican study may be attributed to differences in the educational grades of participants.…”

“…Energy drink consumption has become widespread among college students [14] and also is considered an emerging health risk behavior among students at Saudi Universities [4,10]. However, only limited number of research studies has been conducted to determine energy drink usage among college students.…”

“…Medical students are exposed to various stressors [1] that may precipitate a variety of health risk behaviors, such as smoking [2,3] and consumption of high levels of caffeinated beverages [4]. Energy drinks are fortified beverages with added nutritional supplements [5,6].…”

Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Consumer Purchasing Decisions on Coffee at Resto Banaran 9, Gemawang Village, Semarang

“…According to Weinberg and Bealer (2010) caffeine contained in coffee works in the body by inhibiting the absorption of adenosine to relieve drowsiness and inhibit fatigue. This opinion was supported by Bawazeer and Alsobahi (2013) who stated that coffee is consumed to provide stimulation, increase energy, and relieve drowsiness. Many respondents drink coffee to get rid of sleepiness while working.…”

Use of energy drinks by male students of Qassim University, Saudi Arabia

“…10 Unfortunately, the rate of consumers among male students of Qassim University was higher than what have been seen in Umm Al-Qura (27.2%). 11 With regard to those result published outside KSA, the rate of energy drink consumer among American college students came to be 46%, 12 which is similar to those reported in Hail 7 and Dammam 8 but higher than the rate in Qassim. Our study result was less than that of another report published on Turkish college students (48.3%) (13), and much less than that for college students in the United States (51%), 14 and in Ghana (62.2%).…”