Attitudes of Polish adolescents towards energy drinks. Part 2. Are these attitudes associated with energy drink consumption?

Introduction And Objective: In recent years, researchers have pointed to the growing popularity of energy drinks (EDs) in adolescents. This is a worrying trend due to the fact that energy drink (ED) consumption in this age group poses health risks. Among factors that could predict ED consumption, are attitudes towards EDs. The aim of the study was to identify attitudes towards EDs, and to investigate associations between these attitudes and ED consumption behaviours. The study also aimed to assess whether attitudes and ED consumption behaviours were differentiated by variables, such as gender, stage of education, socio-economic status and academic achievement.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted among adolescents aged 13-19 years living in the Pomeranian Province (northern Poland). An anonymous questionnaire with a scale to identify attitudes towards EDs was used in the study. Results were assessed as statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05.

Results: According to the results, 2/3 of the surveyed adolescents consumed EDs. Boys, high school students and students with poorer academic achievement consumed EDs more often than girls, middle school students and very good students. The adolescents preferred a single ED intake at the level of 250 mL. The distribution of the results in this regard was differentiated by gender and academic achievement. The prevailing percentage of the respondents had ambivalent attitudes towards EDs. It was found that negative attitudes towards EDs were expressed by a higher percentage of the girls and the very good students. Positive attitudes towards EDs were associated with frequent ED consumption and with a high level of single ED intake.

Conclusions: The results allow the conclusion that attitudes towards EDs identified in the studied sample can be considered an important factor related to ED consumption behaviorus.