Energy drink consumption and later alcohol use among early adolescents.

Introduction: Little is known about the association between energy drink and other substance use in early adolescence despite the fact that the consumption of energy drinks during this developmental period is becoming increasingly common. The aim of this study was to examine concurrent and longitudinal associations between energy drink and alcohol use among middle school students. In addition, sensation seeking and parental monitoring were examined as factors that could potentially explain any associations found.

Methods: A sample of 144 youth participating in the Camden Youth Development Study was utilized. Self-report questionnaire data was collected over a 16-month period.

Results: Frequency of energy drink use at the initial assessment predicted increases in frequency of alcohol use 16 months later (adjusting for initial frequency of alcohol use). Levels of parental monitoring partially accounted for this association; in contrast, there was no evidence that sensation seeking was related to this association.

Conclusion: Youth who consume energy drinks in early adolescence are at risk for alcohol use later; this may be partially related to low levels of parental monitoring being associated with the consumption of both substances. Future research is needed to further explain this association; this may lead to opportunities for early intervention for youth at high risk for alcohol use.