Patterns and Factors Influencing High-Energy Beverage Consumption Among University Students

Abstract

Background: Energy beverages have become popular among youth, especially among university students, and the energy beverage market is a rapidly growing industry; it has many effects on health, so this study aims to assess patterns and factors affecting high-energy beverage consumption among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used. An online self-administered questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Results: The data reveal that 55.2% of the studied sample consumed energy beverages and half (98.8% and 80.3%) respectively, female and male students consumed high-energy beverages for 1 – 2 weeks with a significant statistical difference (< 0.001 and 0.000058) between male and female students regarding the frequency of consumption and a maximum number of cans consumed per day, (60.2% and 47.1% ) female and male students respectively consume high-energy beverages for the reason of study and exams which was the main factor for consumption. Conclusion: More than half of the studied university students consume energy beverages regularly, and about two-thirds are male. For most, the main factor for consumption was study and exams. Unawareness regarding the ingredients of high-energy beverages and the belief that high-energy beverages have a good effect on health were significantly associated with consumption.