The Era of Energy Drinks: Consumption Pattern, Awareness, Perception, and Their Adverse Impact on Adolescent Health in Egypt.

BACKGROUND

Despite the risks associated with energy drinks (EDs), the consumption of EDs remains high, especially among adolescents, so the study aimed to assess the consumption pattern, awareness, perception of EDs, and their adverse impact on adolescent health.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used. The study setting is Damanhur City, Beheira governorate, Egypt, with a sample size of 350 participants. A structured interview questionnaire was used to collect the data and consisted of five parts: socio-demographic data, pattern of use, negative adverse effects of EDs, knowledge, and perception.

RESULTS

The data reveal that 38.5% of the studied sample consumed EDs, and 14.2% of them consumed more than one time per day. The main reason for consumption was feeling fatigue among 46.4%, followed by 28.7% to increase concentration. Only 36% had satisfactory awareness, and 45.7% perceived that excessive consumption has dangerous effects. Age, educational stage, gender, awareness, and perception are significant influencers on the consumption of EDs. The reported adverse impacts were polyuria among 51.4%, followed by tachycardia (40.0%) and insomnia (35%).

CONCLUSION

About one-third of studied adolescents consume EDs regularly and reported several adverse health effects, such as polyuria and tachycardia. The main reason for consumption was feeling fatigued among about half of the studied adolescents. Low awareness levels and negative perceptions were significantly associated with consumption.

RECOMMENDATION: Implement educational programs about EDs and their possible risks to improve the awareness level among adolescents. Further studies should be carried out across different countries.