Energy Drink Consumption among Adolescents Attending Schools in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Trésor Carsi Kuhangana,Benoit Nemery,Joris Van Loco,Angélique Kamugisha,Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu,Arlène Kazadi Ngoy,Taty Muta Musambo,Joseph Pyana Kitenge,Eric Deconinck,Paul Musa Obadia,Tony Kayembe-Kitenge

doi:10.3390/ijerph18147617

Abstract

Background: The consumption of energy drinks (EDs) is increasing in the general population, but little is known about the consumption of EDs among pupils in Africa. This study was designed to assess the consumption of EDs among pupils between 10 and 17 years of age and to assess average caffeine concentrations contained in EDs sold in Lubumbashi. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five schools using a standardised questionnaire taken face-to-face. Samples of locally purchased EDs were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultra-Violet spectrometry (HPLC-UV). Results: Of 338 pupils (54% girls), 63% reported having consumed at least one ED in the last week and 34% drank at least one ED a day. The cheapest ED was the most widely consumed. Among pupils having consumed at least one ED in the last week, 79% reported consuming it for refreshment and 15% to get energy. For those who reported not consuming EDs, 40% reported that their parents or teachers forbade them to drink EDs. Some (14%) teenagers, mainly boys, mixed ED with alcohol. The concentrations of caffeine measured in twelve brands of EDs ranged from 7.6 to 29.4 mg/100 mL (median 23.3), giving caffeine contents of 37.5 to 160 mg (median 90 mg) per can or bottle. The estimated daily intake of caffeine through EDs was between 51.3 mg and 441.3 mg among those consuming EDs regularly. Conclusion: Our study convincingly demonstrates that caffeine-containing EDs are not only consumed by youngsters living in affluent societies. We documented widespread regular consumption of EDs among (pre-)adolescent schoolchildren living in Lubumbashi, a large city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In view of the global market expansion of caffeinated EDs, it is reasonable to suspect that similar surveys in other urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa would yield similar findings. Pricing and advertising regulations and education on EDs are necessary to limit the regular consumption of EDs among adolescents.

Highlights

In recent years, the consumption of energy drinks (EDs) has considerably increased worldwide through tactical marketing and advertising strategies [1]
Our study revealed that a large proportion ofadolescent pupils of five schools in Lubumbashi regularly consumed EDs, that the prevalence of regular ED consumption increased with age and that some teenagers mixed ED with alcohol
Our study convincingly demonstrates that caffeine-containing EDs are consumed by youngsters living in affluent societies

Summary

Introduction

The consumption of energy drinks (EDs) has considerably increased worldwide through tactical marketing and advertising strategies [1]. Frequent consumption of EDs has been associated with unhealthy behaviours, such as use of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, sexual risk-taking and violence among adolescents and young adults [7,8,9,10,11,12]. This study was designed to assess the consumption of EDs among pupils between 10 and 17 years of age and to assess average caffeine concentrations contained in EDs sold in Lubumbashi. Among pupils having consumed at least one ED in the last week, 79% reported consuming it for refreshment and 15% to get energy. For those who reported not consuming EDs, 40% reported that their parents or teachers forbade them to drink EDs. Some (14%) teenagers, mainly boys, mixed ED with alcohol. The concentrations of caffeine measured in twelve brands of EDs ranged from 7.6 to 29.4 mg/100 mL (median 23.3), giving caffeine contents of 37.5 to 160 mg

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion