A Cross-Sectional Study of the Relationship among Energy Drinks Consumption, Smoking and Academic Performance among Male Health Science Students

Aims: To estimate the prevalence, attitude and magnitude of consumption of energy drinks among health science students. To establish the relationship between consumption of energy drinks and smoking. To determine the relationship between energy drinks consumption and the students perceptions about their academic performance.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study has been conducted including 521 male health
sciences colleges students in Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University throughout the period of
September 20 – December 20, 2014. A validated, confidential, self – administered questionnaire including questions designed to estimate the prevalence, attitude and magnitude of consumption of energy drinks was used for data collection.

Results: Among 521 male students who participated in this study, 199 students were consuming energy drinks (38.2%). Students consumed energy drinks for many reasons, mostly they like the taste (59.8%). (50.3%) and (39.2%) perceive energy drinks to increase their alertness and academic performance, respectively. More than half of participants not manifest any side effect after consumption, and digestive tract upset were reported as the most frequent side effects.

Conclusion: Energy drinks consumption is common behavior among male health science students. Heavy consumption of energy drinks can have some adverse effects including digestive tract upsets. Participants perceive energy drinks to increase their alertness and academic performance. However, people who consume these drinks are more likely to be alert compared to those who do not.