The Indian Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics

Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Subscription Access
Open Access Open Access Open Access  Restricted Access Restricted Access Subscription Access

Perceptions and Practices Related to Consumption of ‘Energy Drinks'


Affiliations
1 Practicing Nutrition Advisor, Chennai, India
2 NIN, Retd. from Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, India
3 National Institute of Medical Statistics, Iran, Islamic Republic of
4 Media, Communication & Extension Group, Extension & Training Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
     

   Subscribe/Renew Journal


Energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular in India. There is a need to understand the extent of consumption and perceptions among consumers. There are no studies in India in this direction. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and practices related to consumption of energy drinks among consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (n=132) and employed persons (n=48) of 13–40 yrs age, who were purposively selected using snowballing technique. Only those who have ever consumed energy drinks were included as subjects. Those consuming at least twice a month were categorized as frequent consumers. A pretested and pre-coded questionnaire with open-ended (5) and closed-ended questions (26) was administered in interview mode. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for analysis. Frequent consumers were more among students (47%) than in working group (14.6%). Significantly (p<0.05) higher number of participants from high socio-economic groups (71%) reported higher consumption of energy drinks than their middle and low-income counterparts. A majority (53.3%) were introduced to energy drinks by their peers. Participants mostly consumed energy drinks when hanging-out with friends (56.1%), during parties (43.3%), when they feel tired (36.1%) and during performance (28.8%). Consumers were using energy drinks for taste (64.4%), flavour (60.6%), and to feel energetic (57.2%). Frequent consumers (53.3%) assume that energy drinks give extra energy. Considering that there are hardly any studies in India in this direction, the study provides information that even frequent consumers of energy drinks were unaware that energy drinks are caffeinated beverages and their knowledge about health benefits/effects was varied and scanty. Most of them perceive that energy drinks provide ‘extra energy’ and are ‘beneficial’ to health. This myth should be dispelled.

Keywords

Energy Drinks, Perceptions, Practices, Hanging-Out With Friends, Peers.
User
Notifications

  • Heckman, M.A., Sherry, K. and De Mejia, E.G. Energy drinks: An assessment of their market size, consumer demographics, ingredient profile, functionality, and regulations in the United States. Compr. Rev. Fd. Sci. Fd. Saf., 2010, 9, 303–317.

  • Ishak, W.W., Ugochukwu, C., Bagot, K., et al. Energy drinks: psychological effects and impact on well-being and quality of life—a literature reviews. Inn. Clin. Neurosci., 2012, 9, 25.

  • Boyle, M. and Castillo, V.D. Monster on the loose. Fortune, 2006, 154, 116–122.

  • Data monitor. (2004). Global functional drinks. Data monitor Plc. Available at: http:// www.datamonitor.com/store/ (accessed on 12th June, 2018)

  • The Research Pedia Analysis. India Energy Drinks Market: Facts, Trends and Opportunities Business Standard. (2010). Available at: http://www.theresearchpedia.com/researcharticles/ india-energy-drinks-market-facts-trends-and-opportunities (accessed on 9th Sept 2013).

  • Energy Drinks Market - Global Trends, Competitive Landscape and Sector Forecasts to 2023. (2017). Available at: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/energydrinksmarket?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5tyUqNj_2wIVjhePCh0n3AIy EAAYASAAEgLZ PD_BwE (accessed on 3rd July 2018).

  • ASSOCHAM. (2012). The associated chambers of commerce and industry of India survey 2012. Available at: https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/78-of-urban-youth-intakedietarysupplement-assocham-survey/904637/ (accessed on 12th June 2018)

  • Yunusa, I. and Ahmad, I. Energy- drinks: Composition and health benefits. J. Pure Appl.

  • Sci., 2011, 4, 186–191.

  • Malinauskas, B.M., Aeby, V.G., Overton, R.F., et al. A survey of energy drinks consumption patterns among college students. Nutr. J., 2007, 6, 35.

  • Nawrot, P., Jordan, S., Eastwood, J., et al. Effects of caffeine on human health. Fd. Addit. Contam., 2003, 20, 1-30.

  • Lovallo, W.R., Farag, N.H., Vincent, A.S, et al. Cortisol responses to mental stress, exercise, and meals following caffeine intake in men and women. Pharmacol. Biochem. Behav., 2006, 83, 441–447.

  • Riesenhuber, A., Boehm, M., Posch, M. and Aufricht, C. Diuretic potential of energy drinks. J. Amino Acids, 2006, 31, 81-83.

  • Seifert, S., Schaechter, J. and Hershorin, L.S. Health effects of energy drinks on children, adolescents, and young adults. Pediat., 2011, 127, 511–528.

  • Miller, K. Energy drinks, race, and problems behaviors among college students. J. Adol.

  • Health, 2008, 43, 490-497.

  • Thombs, D.L., O’Mara, R.J. and Tsukamoto, M. Goldberger event-Level analyses of energy drink consumption and alcohol intoxication in bar patrons. Addict. Behav., 2010, 35, 325–330.

  • Directorate of Printing, Government of India Press, New Delhi. 2016. The Gazette of India: Extraordinary. Part III. Section IV. Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi.

  • Bunting, H., Baggett, A. and Grigor, J. Adolescent and young adult perceptions of caffeinated energy drinks. A qualitative approach. Appetite, 2013, 65, 132–138.

  • Miller, K. Wired: Energy drinks, jock Identity, masculine Norms, and risk taking. J. Am. Coll. Health, 2008, 56, 481-489.

  • Alsunni, A.A. and Badar, A. Energy drink consumption pattern, perceived benefits and associated adverse effects amongst students. J. Ayub. Med. Coll. Abbottabad., 2011, 23, 3-9.

  • Berger, K.L., Fendrich, M., Chen, H.Y., et al. Socio-demographic correlates of energy drink consumption with and without alcohol: Results of a community survey. Addict. Behav., 2011, 36, 516–519.

  • Oteri, A., Salvo, F., Caputi, A.P., et al. Intake of energy drinks in association with alcoholic beverages in a cohort of students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina. Alcohol Clin. Exp. Res., 2007, 31, 1677–1680.


Abstract Views: 513

PDF Views: 1




  • Perceptions and Practices Related to Consumption of ‘Energy Drinks'

Abstract Views: 513  |  PDF Views: 1

Authors

Aiswarya Ravichandran
Practicing Nutrition Advisor, Chennai, India
Sudershan R. Vemula
NIN, Retd. from Food and Drug Toxicology Research Centre, India
Vishnu Vardhana Rao Mendu
National Institute of Medical Statistics, Iran, Islamic Republic of
Archana Konapur
Media, Communication & Extension Group, Extension & Training Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India
SubbaRao M. Gavaravarapu
Media, Communication & Extension Group, Extension & Training Division, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, India

Abstract


Energy drinks are becoming increasingly popular in India. There is a need to understand the extent of consumption and perceptions among consumers. There are no studies in India in this direction. This study aimed to assess the perceptions and practices related to consumption of energy drinks among consumers. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students (n=132) and employed persons (n=48) of 13–40 yrs age, who were purposively selected using snowballing technique. Only those who have ever consumed energy drinks were included as subjects. Those consuming at least twice a month were categorized as frequent consumers. A pretested and pre-coded questionnaire with open-ended (5) and closed-ended questions (26) was administered in interview mode. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test were used for analysis. Frequent consumers were more among students (47%) than in working group (14.6%). Significantly (p<0.05) higher number of participants from high socio-economic groups (71%) reported higher consumption of energy drinks than their middle and low-income counterparts. A majority (53.3%) were introduced to energy drinks by their peers. Participants mostly consumed energy drinks when hanging-out with friends (56.1%), during parties (43.3%), when they feel tired (36.1%) and during performance (28.8%). Consumers were using energy drinks for taste (64.4%), flavour (60.6%), and to feel energetic (57.2%). Frequent consumers (53.3%) assume that energy drinks give extra energy. Considering that there are hardly any studies in India in this direction, the study provides information that even frequent consumers of energy drinks were unaware that energy drinks are caffeinated beverages and their knowledge about health benefits/effects was varied and scanty. Most of them perceive that energy drinks provide ‘extra energy’ and are ‘beneficial’ to health. This myth should be dispelled.

Keywords


Energy Drinks, Perceptions, Practices, Hanging-Out With Friends, Peers.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.21048/jnd.2018.55.4.22114