Energy Drink Consumption and its Relationship to Risky Behavior in College Students

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Energy drinks have become popular among college students, with over half reporting consumption of at least one energy drink per month in the current semester. Risk of negative physiological and psychological effects has been linked to energy drinks consumed alone or mixed with alcohol. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between energy drink consumption and other risky behaviors among college students at a large southeastern university in the United States. Method: A convenience sample of 277 college students was recruited during January-February 2012 via e-mail through undergraduate academic courses. Participating students completed an online survey that assessed energy drink consumption (with and without alcohol) and participation in other risky behaviors. Results: Energy drink users participated in risky behaviors more often than non-energy drink users within the past year (p = 0.00). Energy drink use was significantly related to the risky behaviors of tobacco (p = 0.00), marijuana (p = 0.00), amphetamine (p = 0.00), and alcohol (p = 0.02) use, as well as missing class (p = 0.05), performing poorly on a test or important project (p = 0.05), and participating in an extreme sport (p = 0.03). Conclusion: These findings suggest that energy drink consumption is associated with other risky behaviors among college students. The benefits of health promotion efforts related to energy drink consumption may be furthered through co-occurrence with other education and prevention programming on the topics of substance use and abuse.