Associations between adolescents’ energy drink consumption frequency and several negative health indicators

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify how various negative health indicators are associated with energy drink consumption frequency among 13- and 15-year-old Finnish adolescents. METHODS: Data (N = 2429) from the nationally representative international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study (2018) were analyzed via descriptive analysis and logistic regression analyses, with control for salient covariates. Relative risks (RR) were derived from the adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS: Even infrequent energy drink consumption was associated with various negative health indicators. Moreover, as compared to non-users, frequent energy drink consumers were more likely to report several health-compromising behaviors: current smoking (RR = 9.85, 95% CI: 5.68–16.02), current snus use (RR = 3.62, 95% CI: 1.80–6.85), cannabis use (RR = 3.42, 95% CI: 1.69–6.52), alcohol consumption (RR = 3.08, 95% CI: 2.49–3.71), problematic social media use (RR = 2.53, 95% CI:1.68–3.72), short sleep (RR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.69–2.60), skipping breakfast (RR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.51–2.29), drunkenness (RR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.11–2.23), inadequate tooth brushing (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.05–1.54). In addition, frequent energy drink consumption was associated with perceived negative health indicators: feelings of insufficient sleep (RR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11–2.15), low self-rated health (RR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.15–1.87), and multiple health complaints (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.07–1.56). CONCLUSIONS: Energy drink consumption, even infrequent, was associated with several negative health indicators, and the reporting of these increased with the frequency of energy drink consumption. The findings support the concerns of health authorities regarding the negative associations between energy drink consumption and health, even among persons as young as 13 years. There is evidence to support specific policy level actions, including restrictions on the sale of energy drinks to adolescents. This measure has been proposed in a Finnish government program, but implementation has yet to occur. Moreover, marketing of these beverages in platforms that are popular among adolescents (e.g., the social media) should be rigorously evaluated, and comprehensive interventions and actions implemented to ensure that adolescents, parents/guardians, and professionals working with adolescents (e.g., in schools) have a good understanding of the links between energy drink consumption and health. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-023-15055-6.