Energy drink consumption: a survey in high school students and associated psychological effects.

Introduction: Energy drinks represent an emerging health problem among young people. Energy drinks generally refer to a class of beverages containing sugars and various combinations of bioactive ingredients such as caffeine, taurine etc. Also the mix of energy drinks with alcohol is fairly frequent among young people and could be associated with dangerous effects.

Methods: In 2016-2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 1581 students attending eight high school in the Marche Region. Data were collected via an anonymous self-administered questionnaire.

Results: The 27.7% of students use energy drinks and the majority, corresponding with the 93.0%, are aware of the main ingredients contained in energy drinks. The main activities for which young people use these drinks are: sport, leisure, pleasure, study. Young people who admit to using alcohol mixed with energy drinks more than 4 times a month are an alarming fact.

Conclusions: This research confirms that energy drinks are used more by young males and especially by those who practice sports. Furthermore, the use these beverages to increase the concentration in the study and to be more brilliant in free time, is confirmed.