Attitudes and consumption habits of energy drinks among adolescents and young adults in a Spanish population

Abstract

Nowadays, the consumption of energy drinks (ED) is increasing exponentially in Western society. This has been widely associated with physical (arrhythmias, headaches, etc.), psychological (anxiety, depression, etc.), and social issues (risky behaviors such as excessive alcohol consumption, etc.). The present study aimed to investigate the consumption habits of energy drinks (ED) among adolescents and young adults in the Spanish population and their attitudes toward these drinks, as well as the factors influencing their consumption. A cross-sectional descriptive study based on a voluntary online questionnaire was conducted with a sample of 387 participants. Amongst participants, 38.8% consumed ED, and the youngest (14–18 years old) in this group were the most likely to mix them with alcohol and the least likely to consider them harmful (32.1%, p < 0.001; and 8.9%, p < 0.002, respectively). Male respondents and people who vaped were more likely to consume ED (OR = 2.94, CI = 1.76–4.93, p < 0.001; and OR = 3.18, CI = 1.91–8.00, p < 0.001, respectively). Social and healthcare policies should be proposed in order to reduce the consumption of ED, particularly among young people, provided that it is associated with other risky behaviors and the occurrence of adverse events.