A systematic survey of caffeine intake in Vermont.
Detailed data were collected on lifetime caffeine intake from 202 Vermont residents using a random-digit dial telephone survey. The sample appeared representative and test-retest reliability of caffeine intake was high (r = .95). Almost all participants (96%) had ever used and most (83%) presently used one or more caffeinated beverages weekly. The average caffeine intake was 186 mg/day. Many caffeine users (61%) used caffeinated beverages other than coffee. Current caffeine intake was a poor measure of lifetime intake. For example, among ever-users of caffeine, 41% had stopped at least 1 type of caffeinated beverage and 14% had stopped caffeine altogether. Cessation was mostly due to health concerns and unpleasant side effects. It was concluded that simply asking about "usual" coffee use is a poor and biased estimate of lifetime caffeine use. Thus, prior findings that caffeine is not associated with medical or behavioral disorders may represent false-negative results.
Hughes
J R
JR
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington 05401-1419, USA.
Oliveto
A H
AH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology; D001628:Beverages; D002110:Caffeine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000523:psychology; D014707:Vermont / Q000453:epidemiology
D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine