Energy drinks consumption prevalence, motivation and associated factors in Medical students: cross-sectional study

Introduction: The objectives of this study are to discover the level and intensity of the consumption of energy drinks (ED) know the motivation and analyze the factors associated with consumption in a Sample of 1st and 2nd year Medical students. Material and Methods: Observational and cross-sectional study where all students of 1st and 2nd year of Medicine at the European University of Madrid were included in the 2017-2018 and 2018-19 courses. A questionnaire was done based in 3 previous published surveys (West Indies and Palermo universities and EFSA report). A voluntary, anonymous and self-administered survey was conducted on 20 items: 7 questions about sociodemographic and lifestyle data and 13 questions about knowledge and consumption habits of ED. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed and chi(2) test or Fisher's exact test was used for the comparison of qualitative variables in different groups. Results: 80% students filled in the questionnaire (353 students out of 440), most of them were women (70%). 115 students (32.6% of the sample) indicated that they consumed at least one can per month (consumers). Of these, 66% (77 students) consume less than one a week, 22.4% (26) between one and two per week. They mixed them with alcoholic beverages in 53% of cases. The three most important justifications for consumption were: being awake to study, taste and staying awake all parties. Being male and smoker was associated with a higher frequency of consumption. Conclusions: 1st and 2nd year Medical students indicated frequent consumption of energy drinks, especially male students. The most important reasons for consumption were to increase the concentration to study, the taste and to stay up longer at parties. Weekend consumption was associated with the consumption of BE mixed with alcohol.