Sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of energy drinks consumption in Serbian adolescents

Abstract Background and aim Energy drinks (EDs) are non-alcoholic beverages that typically contain high levels of caffeine and sugar in combination with other ingredients known to have stimulant properties. Although there is growing evidence of the harmful physiological and psychological effects of energy drinks their popularity has increased during the past decade. While researchers point out variety of health consequences, data on prevalence and correlates of EDs consumption are scarce. Aim of the study was to determine prevalence of EDs consumption and to investigate sociodemographic and lifestyle correlates of EDs consumption among adolescents in Serbia. Study design Secondary analysis of data obtained from 2022 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study (HBSC) in Serbia. Study included 3962 students aged 11, 13 and 15 years. Students with missing values for one or more study variables were excluded from the analyses. Methods Multiple logistic analyses stratified by age and sex were performed to estimate the associations between consuming EDs and sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics. Results Overall, 15.6% of students consumed EDs more than once a week (16.2% of boys and 15.5% of girls) with highest percentage among 15-year-old students (20.3%). For both genders, the percentage of adolescents consuming ED more than once a week was higher among adolescents with lowest family affluence (21.9%), those consuming soft drinks daily (39.5%) and alcohol weekly (47.6%). In boys only, consuming ED several times a week was more frequent among adolescents having at least 60 min moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily than among those with lower levels of MVPA. Conclusions Different patterns of ED consumption were identified suggesting need for tailored interventions aimed at reducing ED consumption in adolescents. Key messages • Every fifth h 15-year-old student in Serbia consume EDs more than once a week. • Higher EDs consumption among physically active boys indicate need for targeting interventions that will address this issue.