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Energy Drink Consumption and Associated Health Behaviors Among University Students in an Urban Setting

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Abstract

The objective of this study is to describe energy drink consumption and health behaviors among college students attending a predominantly minority university. Undergraduate and graduate students attending a private, minority-serving university were invited to participate in an online survey between September 2009 and August 2010. Out of 2,500 students, 407 participated yielding a response of 16 %. Analysis assessed energy drink consumption as well as participation in sport activities and high-risk behaviors. Energy drink consumption is significantly related with drinking alcohol to inebriation and driving (r = .14, p < .05) and to riding with a drunk driver (r = .15, p < .05). Athletes were more likely to engage in drinking alcohol to inebriation and driving F (1, 186) = 6.12, p < .02. Energy drink consumption is a common practice among racial minority university students. Tailored health promotion strategies and interventions are needed to address misconceptions of energy drink and alcohol mixing.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Athletic Training, Health and Exercise Science, Long Island University Brooklyn, 1 University Plaza, Room HS 303, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA

    David K. Spierer

  2. Department of Public Health, Long Island University Brooklyn, Brooklyn, NY, USA

    Nineequa Blanding

  3. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney/Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Sydney, Australia

    Anthony Santella

Authors
  1. David K. Spierer
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  2. Nineequa Blanding
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  3. Anthony Santella
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Correspondence to David K. Spierer.

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Spierer, D.K., Blanding, N. & Santella, A. Energy Drink Consumption and Associated Health Behaviors Among University Students in an Urban Setting. J Community Health 39, 132–138 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9749-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10900-013-9749-y

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