Perceptions and Knowledge of Caffeinated Energy Drinks: Results of Focus Groups With Canadian Youth.

OBJECTIVE: To examine use, knowledge, and perceptions of caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) among youth. DESIGN: Qualitative research using focus group discussions (n = 4). SETTING: Two Canadian cities (Toronto and Montreal). PARTICIPANTS: Youth aged 12-18 years (n = 41). PHENOMENON OF INTEREST: Perceived definitions of CEDs, reasons for use, knowledge of health effects, use with alcohol, marketing perceptions, and use and understanding of cautionary statements on packaging. ANALYSIS: Data were analyzed using a modified grounded-theory approach. RESULTS: Youth identified CEDs as products that provide energy and contain caffeine and sugar. Compared with mainstream CED brands and energy shots, youth were less likely to perceive Gatorade, Coca-Cola, and a Starbucks beverage as energy drinks, despite some ambiguity. The majority of participants believed that CEDs, including mixed with alcohol, were not necessarily harmful in moderation and that marketing was targeted toward older youth and young adults. Awareness of cautionary statements on CEDs was low; cautionary statements were perceived as difficult to find and read owing to the design and small font. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Findings suggest a need to increase public education regarding the potential risks of CED consumption, including enhancements to the mandated cautionary statements, with greater attention to the impact of CED marketing on youth.

Consumption of Caffeinated Energy Drinks Among Youth and Young Adults in Canada.

The growing market for caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) has caused concern about excessive caffeine intake and potential adverse effects, particularly among young people. The current study examined patterns of CED consumption among youth and young adults in Canada, using data from a national online survey conducted in October 2014. Data from a non-probability sample of 2040 respondents aged 12-24 from a consumer panel was weighted to national proportions; measures of CED consumption were estimated, including prevalence, excessive daily consumption, and context for use (locations and reasons). Separate logistic regression models for two outcomes, past-week consumption and "ever" exceeding two energy drinks in a day (as per common guidance), were conducted to examine associations with demographic variables (sex, age, geographic region, race/ethnicity, and language). Overall, 73.6% of respondents reported "ever" consuming energy drinks; 15.6% had done so in the past week. Any consumption of energy drinks in the past week was more prevalent among males, Aboriginal respondents (vs. white only or mixed/other), and residents of British Columbia. Among "ever-consumers," 16.0% reported ever consuming more than two energy drinks in a day. Exceeding two in a day was more prevalent among older respondents (young adults aged 18-24), aboriginal respondents (vs. white only), and British Columbia residents. While the majority of youth and young adults had consumed energy drinks, about half were "experimental" consumers (i.e., consumed ≤ 5 drinks in their lifetime). Approximately one in six consumers had exceeded the usual guidance for maximum daily consumption, potentially increasing their risk of experiencing adverse effects.

Knowledge of Recommended Calorie Intake and Influence of Calories on Food Selection Among Canadians.

OBJECTIVE: To examine knowledge of recommended daily calorie intake, use of calorie information, and sociodemographic correlates between knowledge and use. DESIGN: Population-based, random digit-dialed phone surveys. PARTICIPANTS: Canadian adults (n = 1,543) surveyed between October and December, 2012. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knowledge of recommended calorie intake and use of calorie information when purchasing food. ANALYSIS: Regression models, adjusting for sociodemographics and diet-related measures. RESULTS: Overall, 24% of participants correctly stated their recommended daily calorie intake; the majority (63%) underestimated it, whereas few (4%) overestimated it. Females, younger participants, those with a higher income and more education, and those who consumed fruits and vegetables at least 5 times daily were significantly more likely to state recommended intake correctly. Most respondents (82%) reported considering calories when selecting foods. Respondents considered calories more often if they were female, had a higher income and more education, perceived themselves to be overweight, were actively trying to control their weight, reported a healthier diet, or consumed fruits and vegetables at least 5 times daily. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Although most Canadians reported using calorie information to guide their food choices, few knew their daily recommended calorie intake. To promote healthy weights, policy initiatives, including education regarding daily calorie intake and changes to the Nutrition Facts table, may help consumers make better choices about food.

Awareness and Knowledge of Recommendations from Canada's Food Guide.

PURPOSE: To examine use and content knowledge of Canada's Food Guide recommendations. METHODS: A total of 1048 intercept exit surveys were conducted with adults who had purchased food that day at 2 hospital cafeterias in Ottawa, Ontario. RESULTS: Most respondents (85.9%) reported looking at Canada's Food Guide over their lifetime; however, less than half reported looking at the food guide in the past year. Milk and Alternatives were the most commonly recalled food group (80.1%) and Grain Products were least commonly recalled (66.0%). Of the entire sample, 42.8% correctly recalled all 4 food groups. Overall, 0.8% correctly recalled the correct number of servings for all 4 food groups. Females, younger respondents, white respondents, respondents with higher annual income, and respondents who had reported looking at Canada's Food Guide recalled more food groups (P < 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high levels of awareness, the study found relatively low levels of reported use and very low levels of knowledge of Canada's Food Guide, particularly among population subgroups that face health disparities. Improving awareness, knowledge, and use of Canada's Food Guide may contribute to improving the nutrition profile of Canadians.

Use of caffeinated energy drinks among secondary school students in Ontario: Prevalence and correlates of using energy drinks and mixing with alcohol.

OBJECTIVES: Caffeinated energy drinks have become increasingly popular among young people, raising concern about possible adverse effects, including increased alcohol consumption and related risk behaviours. The current study examined consumption of caffeinated energy drinks and use of energy drinks with alcohol, as well as associations with socio-demographic and behavioural characteristics, among a sample of secondary school students in Ontario. METHODS: Survey data from 23,610 grade 9-12 students at 43 purposefully sampled Ontario secondary schools participating in the baseline wave (2012/13) of the COMPASS study were analyzed using generalized linear mixed-effects models. Outcomes were any energy drink use, frequency of use, and use of alcohol mixed with energy drinks; covariates were age, sex, race, spending money, bodymass index (BMI), weight-related efforts and alcohol use. Two-way interactions between sex and other covariates were tested. RESULTS: Nearly one in five students (18.2%) reported consuming energy drinks in a usual week. Use of energy drinks was associated (p < 0.01) with all socio-demographic variables examined and was more common among students who were male, off-reserve Aboriginal, had some spending money, had a BMI outside of "healthy" range, were trying to lose weight, and/or reported a higher intensity of alcohol use. Interactions with sex were observed for age, spending money and weight-related efforts. Use of energy drinks mixed with alcohol in the previous 12 months was reported by 17.3% of the sample, and was associated with race, spending money, and more frequent binge drinking. CONCLUSION: Regular use of energy drinks was common among this sample of students and strongly linked to alcohol consumption.