Citation

Trapp GS, Allen KL, O'Sullivan T, Robinson M, Jacoby P, Oddy WH. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2014; 134: 30-37.

Affiliation

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, P.O. Box 855, West Perth, Western Australia 6872, Australia. Electronic address: gtrapp@ichr.uwa.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.09.006

PMID

24120855

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular among young people. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of energy drink consumption and its associations with socio-demographic characteristics, alcohol, cigarette and illicit drug use in a population-based sample of young adults participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.

METHODS: We used self-administered questionnaires to assess energy drink consumption patterns, alcohol intake, cigarette and illicit drug use at the 20-year cohort follow-up. Data was also collected on socio-demographics, physical activity, body mass index (BMI) and dietary intake. Our sample included 1234 participants (47% male, mean age 20±0.5 years). We considered energy-drink consumption as a categorical (users versus non-users) variable.

RESULTS: Overall, 48% of participants consumed energy drinks at least once per month, with an average intake of 1.31±0.75 cans per day amongst energy drink users. The most significant correlates of energy drink use were being in part-time or full-time employment, being male, being a cigarette smoker, having heavier alcoholic spirit consumption patterns and being an ecstasy user (all p<0.05). No significant associations were observed with BMI or dietary intake.

CONCLUSIONS: Australian energy drink users tend to have heavier alcohol consumption patterns be a cigarette smoker and use illicit drugs relative to non-users. More research is needed regarding the health risks associated with energy drink use in young adults, including their possible role in the development of substance abuse problems.

Language: en