Energy Drink Consumption Among Physically Active Polish Adolescents: Gender and Age-Specific Public Health Issue

Abstract

Objectives: To analyse the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) and the motives for their consumption among physically active adolescents in Poland. Methods: A 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. Results: Nearly 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). Conclusion: It 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.