The prevalence rate of energy drinks consumption among young adults in Iraqi society

Abstract

Background: Energy drinks (ED) consumption is an increasingly occurring phenomenon in our Iraqi society. ED marketing should be limited or forbidden particularly among adolescents until independent research confirms their safety. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of energy drinks consumption among young people in Iraq in regard to: gender, sport habits, disease state, purpose of use, addiction liability. Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted for Iraqi young adult people from October/2021 to January/ 2022 using a questionnaire. This survey included (784) person aged 15 to 35 years old after obtaining approval from the directors of each college and receiving oral approval from each participant. Data was collected through the questionnaire. Results: A very high proportion of ED consumers are males, and are actually sport practitioners, with no chronic disease. Tiger is the ED No.1 in Iraq. Mainly consumed on monthly basis, mainly for energy provision and improved performance. The general people attitude for these ED is to stay awake, and is therefore associated with sleep disturbance, however consumers do not think that it is difficult to give up ED and do not consider themselves addicted to it, and are aware of most of its risks. Conclusions: Most consumers are athletics with no chronic disease, almost monthly consumers ED for energy provision with Tiger being the most consumed ED, most consumers with able to give up ED consumptions were aware of risks of ED with a steep rise was observed recently compared to the past years.