Energy drink consumption among pre-clinical medical students attending a public medical school in Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract

Objective: It has been reported that energy drink usage is increasing worldwide despite reports of severe adverse health effects. This study aimed to explore pre-clinical medical students' attitudes and perceptions in relation to energy drinks.Materials and Methods: This was a questionnaire-based descriptive study of pre-clinical medical students attending a public medical school in Istanbul, Turkey. Questions covered the students' sociodemographic characteristics, personal habits (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption), energy drink perceptions and energy drink consumption, and their experience of side effects from energy drinks. Chi-square tests were used to compare the categorical data.Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.27 ± 1.37 (range: 19-28) years, and 54.0% (n: 81) were females and 46.0% (n: 69) were males. Overall, 68.0% (n: 102) reported that they had consumed an energy drink at least once in their lives, with 29.4% of these reporting use in combination with alcohol, 22.6% reporting use before exams, 20.6% reporting use before a physical activity, 13.7% reporting use to relieve fatigue, and 48.0% reporting that they had only tried an energy drink out of curiosity.Conclusion: A large number of participants tried energy drinks out of curiosity, but energy drink consumption was quite common in combination with alcohol. Case studies are needed to provide detailed information on the actual adverse health effects of energy drinks, but in the meantime, energy drink consumption should not be encouraged. Health care providers should educate children and families for the adverse effects of energy drinks.

Energy drink consumption and its relationship to alcohol use disorders and impulsiveness in health sciences students in Turkey

“…The prevalence of ED consumption was 30.6%, and the prevalence of ED mixed alcohol consumption was 9.5% in this study. Kulak et al 21 reported that 68% of university students consumed ED at least once in their lives, and Reid et al 2 reported the prevalence of ED consumption among university students as 86%, and these rates are quite high.…”

“…In this study, the students mostly reported that they consumed ED for having fun and being able to take more alcohol. The reasons for consuming ED among young people were getting prepared for physical activity, 21 decreasing tiredness, 3,21 enjoying its taste, 15 trying to stay awake and study, 22 and being able to drink more alcohol. 9 In this study, 17.3% of the students consumed ED mixed alcohol in the last year; 11.6% of the students consumed energy mixed alcohol drinks in the last 30 days.…”

“…The students' mean age was 20.82 ± 1.96 (17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32); 62.2% were females, 37.8% were males, 25.3% were in the first year, 29.1% were in the second year, 25.9% were in the third year, and 19.7% were fourthyear participants. The distribution of the students based on the departments they were studying was nursing for 33.5%, dentistry for 13.0%, pharmacy for 4.9%, physical therapy and rehabilitation for 16.4%, and medical faculty for 27.9%.…”