Energy drink consumption and associated health behaviors among university students in an urban setting

J Community Health. 2014 Feb;39(1):132-8. doi: 10.1007/s10900-013-9749-y.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe energy drink consumption and health behaviors among college students attending a predominantly minority university. Undergraduate and graduate students attending a private, minority-serving university were invited to participate in an online survey between September 2009 and August 2010. Out of 2,500 students, 407 participated yielding a response of 16 %. Analysis assessed energy drink consumption as well as participation in sport activities and high-risk behaviors. Energy drink consumption is significantly related with drinking alcohol to inebriation and driving (r = .14, p < .05) and to riding with a drunk driver (r = .15, p < .05). Athletes were more likely to engage in drinking alcohol to inebriation and driving F (1, 186) = 6.12, p < .02. Energy drink consumption is a common practice among racial minority university students. Tailored health promotion strategies and interventions are needed to address misconceptions of energy drink and alcohol mixing.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Alcohol Drinking / epidemiology
  • Automobile Driving / statistics & numerical data
  • Energy Drinks / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Health Behavior*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk-Taking
  • Sex Factors
  • Students / statistics & numerical data*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / epidemiology
  • Universities / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Young Adult