Energy drinks linked to risky behavior among teenagers

[walnutpie]

Source: International Herald Tribune

Health researchers have identified a surprising new predictor for risky behavior among teenagers and young adults: the energy drink. The trend has been the source of growing concern among health researchers and school officials. Around the country, the drinks have been linked with reports of nausea, abnormal heart rhythms and emergency room visits.

The finding doesn't mean the drinks cause bad behavior. But the data suggest that regular consumption of energy drinks may be a red flag for parents that their children are more likely to take risks with their health and safety. "It appears the kids who are heavily into drinking energy drinks are more likely to be the ones who are inclined toward taking risks," Miller said.

O'Brien surveyed energy drink and alcohol use among college students at 10 universities in North Carolina. The study, published this month in Academic Emergency Medicine, showed that students who mixed energy drinks with alcohol got drunk twice as often as those who consumed alcohol by itself and were far more likely to be injured or require medical treatment while drinking. Energy drink mixers were more likely to be victims or perpetrators of aggressive sexual behavior. The effect remained even after researchers controlled for the amount of alcohol consumed.

The American Beverage Association says its members don't market energy drinks to teenagers. "The intended audience is adults," said Craig Stevens, a spokesman. He says the marketing is meant for "people who can actually afford the two or three bucks to buy the products."



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/05/27/healthscience/27well.php

[hedgehog]

1. Well, duh! Energy drinks make it possible for teenagers to be alert and active

at 2AM!


I warned each one of my kids and their friends that their IQs were divided as they got together; the more kids in the group, the more likely they were to do some kind of dumb shit to get themselves in toruble!

[Kali]

2. OMG!!!

teens might engage in risky behavior and a corporation denies marketing their hyperdrinks to teens. This is news? Hurry form a study group and ban something. get a job going to the schools to do "just don't drink it" training....form a task force!!!!

Call your representative RIGHT FUCKING NOW111111!!!!!

[atommom]

3. I wonder whether there's a correlation between ADHD and consumption

of energy drinks. Many folks with ADHD are drawn to stimulants (they make us feel more "normal"), and they are also more likely to take risks. I doubt the energy drinks are the real culprit here.

[Indenturedebtor]

6. True but ADHD is over diagnosed

I fit all the classic signs of ADHD, and then I learned to focus myself. Of course that focus is most effective when I'm not doing boring crap. And of course ritalin/atarol makes me sharp as a tack, but I don't need it. Not saying you don't, just that it is over diagnosed, and not NEARLY as prevalent as they say it is.

But this seems to fall more in line with people who have a low general state of "mental activation". They need a lot of excitement, newness, danger, etc to feel normal. Truly about 30% of the population isn't happy unless they're living fast. Both my wife and I are like this. If you've done a lot of drugs, and every sport your drawn to involves doing something really dangerous, you're probably a low activation person/high activation seeker. You've likely been to jail a time or two, been in at least a few fights, and ALWAYS have to be doing something.

I drink TONS of coffee and alcohol to soothe mine, and lately we've taken up rock climbing.

[GreenEyedLefty]

11. Hmmm...

I don't know how it can be overdiagnosed. People who don't have ADHD and take the meds have a completely different (and perhaps even scary) reaction to them. My daughter has severe ADHD...she can slam an espresso right before bed and sleep like a baby anyway. Her brain is wired differently for stimulants. If I did that, or took one of her Adderalls, I'd get sweaty and heart palps, I'm sure (haven't tried it, that shit scares me).

Anyway, you learned to focus because you became a mature adult and when needed, you medicate yourself with coffee and alcohol. My daughter most likely won't need meds forever, either, I hope.

[atommom]

14. Many folks I know who consider it overdiagnosed acknowledge

that many people have ADHD traits, but object to having so many people labeled with a psychiatric diagnosis. My personal opinion is that if the traits interfere with your functioning, then having a diagnosis (which can help steer you towards resources that will help you cope with life better) is a good thing.

[maxidivine]

17. wow, great point!

I bet that correlation will not be brought up during any studies though, because then people will not be able to blame the energy drinks and companies who make them for their kids causing trouble.

[mikeytherat]

4. Wow! Who knew today's teenagers can't afford two or three bucks?

The American Beverage Association says its members don't market energy drinks to teenagers. "The intended audience is adults," said Craig Stevens, a spokesman. He says the marketing is meant for "people who can actually afford the two or three bucks to buy the products."

I know the last time I asked my nephew if he had three bucks on him, he said, "Do I look like I'm made out of money?"

:eyes:

mikey_the_rat

[Mojorabbit]

5. Part of being a normal teen

IS risky behavior.

[DaveJ]

9. I agree. It's odd they'd correlate this with energy drinks.

If any parent doesn't think their kid is engaging in risky behavior, then they are probably at greatest risk.

[Winterblues]

7. When I was a teen ager it was NoDoz

I am so old, Jolt wasn't even around...

[BuddhaGirl]

8. most of those energy drinks are garbage

and kids shouldn't have all that caffeine. Good way to fry their adrenals at an early age! :-(

[AlphaCentauri]

10. more soft drugs in the market

[PaganWitchFeminist]

12. At the hospital...

I work at, there have been record numbers of kids with health problems linked to Gatorade (sp?) and energy drinks. I stopped letting my son buy the drinks (told him of the health risks, etc.) and I've noticed a major difference in his behavior. Of course, to each his own. I don't have the time nor inclination to "call my reps." :-)

[Tesha]

16. Gatorade is hardly an "energy drink".

It's much more an "electrolyte replacement", with its
chemistry being roughly equivalent to slightly-sweetened
sweat.

That is, it's water, salts, and a little sugar and high
fructose corn syrup.

No caffeine, no behavior-modifying chemicals of any sort
unless you drink many gallons of it to try to get a sugar
high.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gatorade

Contrast that with (say) Red Bull:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Bull

Tesha

[Tesha]

13. "Here -- Hold mah Red Bull for a sec..." (NT)

[slackmaster]

15. I don't partake of "energy drinks" because I regard them as risky

I have hypertension and am a little overweight. The last thing I need is excessive stimulation and sugar.

Of course, I am 50 years old. Being a teenager is really what leads teens to risky behavior. I've been there.

[maxidivine]

18. Bet they never heard of Endo-Rush

That shit is AWESOME!!!!!!!

warning labels all over it, not for anyone with any medical condition more serious than seasonal allergies, causes the faint of heart to spontaneously combust should they be foolish enough to approach the mighty Endo-Rush!


Alright so I exaggerated a bit. But endo-rush is sweet.

[Ilsa]

19. If I had as much energy as those drinks are supposed to provide,

I might mess with drugs and go screwing around alot too.

My kids are going to start getting lemonade with sominex. (Just kidding)