Beyond prevalence: distinct correlates of energy-drink use and consumption frequency in a cross-sectional study of undergraduate students in Dubai

Energy-drink (ED) use is common among university students, but factors associated with any use may differ from those associated with more frequent consumption among users. This study examined ED-use status and reported consumption frequency among undergraduates recruited through university and student channels in Dubai, together with lifestyle correlates, exploratory risk-awareness measures and self-reported symptoms. An anonymous cross-sectional online survey yielded 604 complete records; after a post-hoc integrity audit, five later probable repeat submissions were excluded, yielding a primary analytic sample of 599. ED-use status was examined using Pearson chi-square tests and multivariable binary logistic regression. Among users, proportional-odds ordinal regression examined consumption frequency, with threshold-specific binary models used to assess robustness. In this non-probability sample, 238/599 participants reported ED use (39.7%; 95% CI 35.9%–43.7%); the ED-use item did not specify a recall period. Fast-food/junk-food dietary pattern (aOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.29–4.44), occasional tobacco-product use (aOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.29–3.50) and regular tobacco-product use (aOR 3.19, 95% CI 2.08–4.91) were associated with ED-use status. The adjusted male estimate for status was imprecise (aOR 1.35, 95% CI 0.90–2.04). Among 238 users, male sex (aCOR 2.67, 95% CI 1.48–4.83) and regular tobacco-product use (aCOR 2.34, 95% CI 1.32–4.15) were associated with higher consumption frequency and remained so in threshold-specific sensitivity models. ED-use status and reported consumption frequency had overlapping but non-identical correlate profiles. Tobacco-product use was the most consistent factor across both outcomes, whereas evidence for sex was clearer for higher frequency among users than for use status. Assessing frequency among users may therefore identify patterns not captured by a binary use measure alone. University health promotion should address ED use alongside tobacco-product use, dietary behaviours and study-related consumption contexts.