A Survey of the Prevalence, Frequency And Health Impact of Energy Drink Consumption In Saudi Medical Students - Essay Example

? Energy Drink - A Survey of the Prevalence, Frequency and health impact of Energy Drink consumption in Saudi medical Meshal Al Omari, MBBS,Khalid I. Al Qumaizi, MD, ABFM, SBFM, Kamal Halim, MPhil, PhD(UK), FNIH (Fellowship Fogarty Scholar, NIH-USA) Objectives: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, frequency, and health impact of energy drink consumption amongst young Saudi medical students. Methods: A cross-sectional randomized survey based on 19 questions was collected and analysed by the research group at the Imam University college of Medicine. The method is based on stratified randomization of gender and a diverse level of students. The students were informed of the study protocol and only those who were willing to participate, anonymously completed the questionnaires. Results: Data was collected and evaluated from 450 questionnaires distributed to 364 Saudi medical students from across three medical schools with a net 81% response rate. Our focus group was combined medical college students of both sexes and between the ages of 19-25 years. We also took into consideration the students grade point average (GPA) of between 4.50. Results were statistically calculated for variables with confidence interval of 95% on a scale of 5 confidence level. A total confidence score was obtained for each situation. The chi square test was used to assess the significance of association between the respondent confidence scores. Conclusion: Energy drinks may pose potential impact on health, primarily because of stimulant contents, lack of awareness, and tendency to be hooked. Therefore, they may not be appropriate for children and adolescents as an energy giving drink, and should not be consumed as such before looking into the advantages and disadvantages as a healthy drink. From Dr. Khalid I. Al Qumaizi, Dean and Director General of Medical Services, Assistant Professor and Consultant Family Medicine, Meshal Al Omari, Orthopedic Resident, Dr. Kamal Halim, Associate Professor Immunology, College of Medicine, Al-Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh Address correspondence reprint request to. Khalid I. Al Qumaizi, MD, ABFM, SBFM, Dean and Director General of Medical Services, Assistant Professor and Consultant Family Medicine. College of Medicine, Al-Imam Ibn Saud Islamic University, PO Box 7544, Riyadh – 13317-4233, KSA (kiqumaizi@imam.edu.sa) Introduction The changes in the pattern of life for young generations in Saudi Arabia have been dramatic. This study in particular was conducted to assess the prevalence, frequency, and health impact of energy drink consumption1,2,4of young Saudi college students of both sexes between the ages 19-25 years. With the ever rising population growth and with younger generations of Saudi’s, it has become a fashion and a trend to be associated with the so called energy boosting beverages. The information is based on innumerable surveys from around the world,2,5 which showed that about 25- 35% of adolescents and young adults reported drinking energy drinks such as Red Bull, Bull Dog, Monster Energy, Rock star, Power Horse, Power Up, Action, Guru, and many more well labelled and attractive packaged drinks in cans and bottles.5 Energy drink consumption had gained popularity ever since it was introduced in 1977. Later, an Austrian, Dieterich Mateschitz, discovered and launched a new health tonic in Bangkok in 1987, and promoted his version as Red Bull; with a claim that it would revitalize the mind and body, increase endurance, improve reaction and concentration and help eliminate toxins from the body.6,7 But the question remained whether or not it was in fact true. Energy drinks were originally marketed for athlete only consumption. 8,9,11 They contain caffeine, a powerful stimulant, and also gamma-amino butyric acid, Guarani, taurine, L-carnitine, ginseng, and other herbal stimulants, as well as high amounts of potassium and sodium.10 However, energy drinks should not be considered merely energy providing supplements.12 It is easy to recognize that there currently exists a massive overall number of energy drinks on the market. They are easily available almost anywhere on the planet. Although all energy drinks claim to increase performance, concentration, reaction speed, vigilance, emotional status, and metabolism,13,14 some of these claims may be grossly exaggerated and without much support. On the contrary, it is oftentimes the case that they enhance the addiction caused by their ingredients - such as caffeine – and, if not taken regularly, can lead to irritation, irritability, severe headaches, and body pain. The addiction can become as strong as alcohol or tobacco smoking and a desire to be reliant upon this substance for the indefinite future.. No comprehensive clinical studies have been performed in the world on the potential adverse effects of these beverages on adolescents15and adults; let alone the effects that this might have upon children who are still maturing and that their brains are not even fully developed. This may be an important reason to keep kids away from unhealthy drugs or compounds in energy drinks.16 Research studies have shown that one of the last parts of the brain to develop in children is the central cortex; involving the abilities to utilize judgement and other factors. We should therefore be extremely cautious and protect rather than alter the brain as it develops its lifelong ability to make sound judgments. Energy drink consumption amongst children and teenagers alike can be dangerous because of its high-caffeine content linked to serious health concerns;17such as seizures, mania, rapid heartbeat, palpitations, anxiety and irritability, tachycardia, migraine, headache, confusion, stroke and in some cases sudden death.18 The information is based on several independent studies that gather scientific, medical and government literature from around the world to examine the effects of energy drinks by children and young adults.19 These reports also suggest that in a number of cases associated with these types of adverse health effects, were a direct result of the consumption of energy drinks. It is also suggested that children with certain conditions, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes, are at greater risk of adverse effects, and according to some reports in Sweden and USA is suspected to be linked to few deaths.20,21 Energy drinks provide boost of energy, but it would not last. Energy drinks contain very high amount of sugar. High amount of sugar is known to be dangerous as it gives way to increased heart rate, which over time can lead to increase in stroke, diabetes and heart disease. Consuming a high amount of sugar contained in energy drinks may also result in unnecessary weight gain and increase the health risks.21 Disclosure. The authors have no conflict of interests, and the work was not supported or funded by any source. method A carefully designed survey questionnaires was developed initially as a revised pilot study by the research group, and evaluated by the experts in the field. It is based on stratified randomization of gender and level of students. In our study we randomly recruited students across three medical colleges in Riyadh. The questionnaires were sent to group leaders in different medical colleges who had participated in the study. The group leaders then chose a group of students by sending the questionnaire to them based on stratified randomization according to their gender and academic level. After that, a reminder email was sent a week after sending the first questionnaire and then a second reminder was sent the following week. In the third week, the final email was sent as the last reminder. Thereafter, we stopped counting the number of participations. The students were informed of the study protocol and only those who were willing to participate, anonymously completed the questionnaires. Data was collected and evaluated from 450 questionnaires distributed amongst 364 Saudi medical students from across three medical schools with a net response rate of 81%. Our focus group was combined medical college students of both sexes between the ages of 19-25 years. We also took into consideration the students grade point average (GPA) of between 4.50. The result was carefully assessed and was statistically analyzed on the basis of net consumption of energy drink, frequency and pattern (Table 2). The questionnaires took approximately 5 minutes to complete and no modification was necessary based on the field test response. We further assessed and evaluated the effects on their attitude, psychological status and mood, study pattern and ability to concentrate on studies, helped or reduced sleeping hours, increase or decrease in performance, body’s energy, and fatigability. No student was excluded from the study on the basis of any pre-existing medical or psychological conditions. To base our focus group responses we assessed demographic information i.e. Age and sex, Grade point average (GPA) Table 1, average of energy drink consumed daily (Table 2), and 8 situational side effects from using energy drink such as study pattern, sleeping hours (Table 1), attitude, performance while exercising, strong sense of complete fitness, fatigability, psychological status and mood, and ability to concentrate (Table 3). We further asked questions about tobacco and alcohol consumption, chronic medical conditions, exercise, physical and mental behaviour including other situations arising. results The results of this study has been statistically assessed and examined for the prevalence, frequency, and health impact of energy drink consumption young Saudi medical students. The study was carefully designed and developed initially as a revised pilot study by the research group, and evaluated by the experts in the field. It is based on stratified randomization of gender and level of students. Data was collected from Saudi medical students of three medical schools in the KSA, with a response rate of 81% for different parameters. In the overall results a 95% confidence interval with a range of 5 as the confidence level was achieved. A p Read More