title: Energy drink consumption is associated with anxiety in Australian young adult males.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Energy drinks are predominantly targeted to young adult consumers; however, there has been limited research into their effects on psychological functioning in this demographic group. This study examined cross-sectional associations between energy drink consumption and mental health in a population-based sample of young adults participating in the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used self-report questionnaires to assess energy drink consumption and mental health (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21; DASS-21) at the 20-year cohort follow-up. In the regression analyses, we considered associations between energy drink consumption (mL/day) and continuous DASS-21 scores, adjusting for sociodemographic variables, alcohol and drug use, physical activity, body mass index (BMI), and dietary intake. Our sample included 502 males and 567 females (mean age 20 ± 3 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for potential confounding factors and controlling for coexisting mental health problems, energy drink consumption (per 100 mL/day) was significantly associated with anxiety (but not depression or stress), and this relationship was found only in males (β = 0.32; 95% CI = 0.05, 0.58).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study found that energy drink consumption was associated with increased anxiety in young adult males. Further research into the possible contribution of energy drink use to the development of mental health problems in young adults is needed.
authors.affiliation: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Georgina S A
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Trapp
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Therese A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Wendy H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Oddy
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D061215:Energy Drinks / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014904:Western Australia; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Raine Study; adolescent health; anxiety; caffeine; depression; energy drinks; stimulants; stress