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Trapp G, Hurworth M, Christian H, Bromberg M, Howard J, McStay C, Ambrosini G, Martin K, Harray A, Cross D, Oddy W, Hammond D. Prevalence and pattern of energy drink intake among Australian adolescents. J Hum Nutr Diet 2020; 34:300-304. [PMID: 32827226 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.12789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Energy drinks (ED) are popular among young people despite evidence of associated health risks. Research into the prevalence and pattern of ED intake among young people is sparse. The present study investigates the prevalence and pattern of ED intake among a large sample of adolescents, including how many consume them, how often, for what reasons and in what contexts. METHODS In 2018, all students in grades 7-12 attending 25 randomly selected Western Australian schools were invited to complete an online self-report survey about EDs. RESULTS Of the 3688 respondents, 51.2% reported consuming an ED. Of these 'ever consumers', 23.4% drank them monthly, 19.2% weekly and 2% every day. The average age of first intake was 10.7 years. One-fifth (19.7%) of 'ever consumers' reported consuming more than two EDs in 1 day. Reasons for ED use included taste, to boost energy levels, sport performance and studying. CONCLUSIONS The findings add to limited international evidence about adolescent ED use and provide valuable information to help ensure interventions to reduce intake address the underlying reasons and contexts of ED consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Trapp
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - M Hurworth
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - H Christian
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - M Bromberg
- The Law School, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
| | - J Howard
- School of Law, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | - C McStay
- The Western Australian Department of Health, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - G Ambrosini
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,The Western Australian Department of Health, East Perth, WA, Australia
| | - K Martin
- School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - A Harray
- School of Public Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - D Cross
- Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, WA, Australia.,School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - W Oddy
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - D Hammond
- School of Public Health & Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
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Abstract
Obesity will be the greatest challenge for nutrition and is probably the greatest overall challenge to public health facing us in the next few decades. Being overweight or obese is a risk factor for many chronic diseases and the impact on wellbeing and mortality is well documented. Breastfeeding exclusively to six months of age is the most appropriate way to feed infants. A review of the international literature and an analysis of Australian data support the hypothesis that breastfeeding reduces the prevalence of obesity. Breastfeeding promotion should become a part of public health programmes for the prevention of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Binns
- School of Public Health, Curtin University of Technology, Perth, Australia
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Abstract
The application of national or state alcohol harm-prevention programs at a regional level can be inappropriate. The involvement of local communities is critical if harm-prevention responses are to be sensitive to local needs. Unfortunately, individuals and agencies usually have little idea of the impact of alcohol at the local level. Alcohol consumption and harm data have been gathered for Geraldton and Bunbury, two regional centres of comparable size in Western Australia. The indices of harm presented include the nature and cost of hospital morbidity attributable to alcohol, and drink-driving charges. In Geraldton, the impact of alcohol tends to be acute and affects young adults, particularly young males. In Bunbury, the consequences of alcohol use tend to be more chronic in nature and affect older adults. These findings have been used to inform local harm-prevention responses, but more than that, this study is a practical example of how available data can be aggregated at a community level to illustrate local alcohol use and harm. This method can be replicated in any community that wants to understand better the effects of alcohol in its own local context.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Midford
- National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse, Perth, WA
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