International Journal of Public Health (Nov 2024)
Energy Drink Consumption Among Physically Active Polish Adolescents: Gender and Age-Specific Public Health Issue
Abstract
ObjectivesTo analyse the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) and the motives for their consumption among physically active adolescents in Poland.MethodsA nationwide survey study was conducted in 1,530 adolescents (10–14 years old) participating in extracurricular, organised sports activities. A computer-assisted web interview method was applied.ResultsNearly half (46.4%) of the respondents were ED consumers (significantly more boys than girls: 53.0% vs. 47.0%, p = 0.010). The percentage of ED consumers increased with age, from 27.2% in 10-year-olds to 65.4% in the group of 14-year-olds (p < 0.001). The motives and circumstances of ED consumption varied depending on gender: girls were more likely than boys to drink EDs to improve concentration during studying (17.1% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001) and to stay awake (22.8% vs. 13.8%, p = 0.002), whereas boys more often than girls reported drinking EDs during physical activity (10.9% vs. 6.0%, p = 0.020).ConclusionIt is necessary to implement gender-diversified educational campaigns on negative health effects of EDs, targeting children, parents and teachers, as consumption of EDs has been identified as a significant public health problem in Poland.
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