Are energy Drinks Scapegoats? Decomposing Teenagers' Caffeine intake from Energy Drinks and Soda Beverages

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Energy drinks have been repeatedly blamed for contributing to caffeine intake among teenagers. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate and compare the caffeine intake of US teenagers from soda drinks versus energy drinks and shots. METHODS: Data were taken from a 2015 nationally representative survey (Monitoring the Future) of 8th and 10th graders in the US (47.2% 8th grade; 51.1% female). Participants reported their numbers of consumed sodas, diet sodas, energy drinks, and energy shots per day. These were converted into mg caffeine/day and were contrasted with common guidelines for healthy caffeine intake, stratified by age group and sex. Error-bar charts, ANOVA and ROC curves ..