Secondary School Students and Caffeine: Consumption Habits, Motivations, and Experiences

Abstract

Adolescents may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of caffeine due to a lack of tolerance, their small size, changing brain physiology, and increasing independence. Concerns about adolescent caffeine consumption relate to potentially serious physiological and psychological effects following consumption. Motivations driving caffeine intake are not well understood among adolescents but are important to understand to reduce harmful behavioural patterns. This study explored caffeine consumption habits (sources, amount, frequency) of New Zealand adolescents; and factors motivating caffeine consumption and avoidance. The previously validated caffeine consumption habits questionnaire (CaffCo) was completed by 216 participants (15–18 years), with most (94.9%) consuming at least one caffeinated product daily. Chocolate, coffee, tea, and kola drinks were the most consumed sources. The median caffeine intake was 68 mg·day−1. Gender (boy) and being employed influenced the source, but not the quantity of caffeine consumed. One-fifth (21.2%) of adolescents consumed more than the recommended European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) safe level (3 mg·kg−1·day−1). Taste, energy, and temperature were the main motivators for consumption, and increased energy, excitement, restlessness, and sleep disturbances were reported effects following caffeine consumption. This study provides information on caffeinated product consumption among New Zealand adolescents, some of whom consumed caffeine above the EFSA safe level. Public health initiatives directed at adolescents may be important to reduce potential caffeine-related harm.

Evaluation of Non-Alcoholic Beverages and the Risk Related to Consumer Health among the Romanian Population

“…The frequency of daily coffee consumption increases with age; thus, the very young respondents (age group [18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25] show the lowest consumption tendency, both regarding a single cup a day (OR = 0.220), as well as consumption of two to three cups a day (OR = 0.150). Respondents over 50 years of age show the highest trend related to the frequency and quantity of coffee consumed.…”

“…Some teenagers and students consume them to combat sleepiness, to have more energy, or in combination with alcohol at parties. Other young people admit to drinking these drinks for no particular reason or when they feel exhausted [23,24].…”

Relevance of High-caffeine Energy Drink Intake and Self-rated Health Status of the Adolescents

“…1997년 시장에 시판되기 시작한 판매량이 급속히 증가하였고, 전 세계적으로 500여 종이 판매되고 있다 [1] [2]. 우리나라 역시 10대와 20대를 중심으로 소비가 급증하고 있어 고카페인 음료 섭취에 대한 우려 역시 증가하고 있다 [3] [4]. 카페인은 커피, 찻잎, 과라오 등의 다양한 식물에서 추출되는 성분으로 적정량의 섭취는 피로감 감소, 각성 효과, 집중력 개선 등에 효과가 있으나, 무분별한 섭취 시 심장 이상, 발작, 기분장애, 행동장애, 수면장애 등의 심각한 부작용도 보고되고 있다 [5].…”