Demographic and Behavioral Correlates of Energy Drink Consumption

Abstract Objectives This study assessed energy drink consumption and high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and drug use, cross-sectionally among participants in three cohort studies—the Nurses’ Health Study 3 (NHS 3), the Growing Up Today Study (GUTS) and GUTS2. Methods Questionnaires, including validated food-frequency questionnaires (FFQs), collected participant demographics, risky behavior, and energy drink consumption data. [The specific question used for energy drink intake read as follows: “Do you drink energy drinks, e.g., Red Bull, Rock Star, Monster (8 oz. can)?” for NHS3, 2010–2019; GUTS, 2011; and GUTS2, 2011.] Following descriptive analysis, multivariable-adjusted logistic regression estimated associations between energy drink consumption and odds of risky behaviors, including pooled odds-ratios (pORs) across all cohorts. Results Of the 46,390 participants this study assessed, ∼13% reported energy drink consumption at least monthly. Risky behaviors associated with energy drink consumption included smoking [pOR: 1.88 (95% CI 1.55–2.29)], having higher body mass index [pORs: 1.31 (95% CI 1.11–1.53) for overweight (25–30 kg/m2) and 1.67 (95% CI 1.34–2.08) for obesity (≥30 kg/m2) compared to <25 kg/m2, respectively], insufficient sleep [pOR: 1.29 (95% CI 1.11–1.50) for <7 hours compared to 7–9 hours], tanning bed use [pOR: 2.31 (95% CI 1.96–2.72)], binge drinking [pOR: 2.53 (95% CI 2.09–3.07)], marijuana use [pOR: 1.49 (95% CI 1.28–1.73)], and use of any illegal drugs (other than marijuana) [pOR: 1.45 (95% CI 1.16–1.81)]. Demographic factors associated with consumption of energy drinks included higher education, which was associated with lower odds of energy drink consumption [pORs: 0.71 (95% CI 0.56–0.91) for bachelor's degree and 0.55 (95% CI 0.40–0.74) for master's degree, compared to no bachelor's degree, respectively], and race/ethnicity [pOR: 4.43 (95% CI: 2.41–8.15) comparing African Americans to non-Hispanic white]. Conclusions Both within and across the cohorts, risky behaviors were associated with higher odds of energy drink consumption. Funding Sources This study was funded via FDA contracts and NIH grants.