title: Adolescent Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Caffeine and the Consumption of Caffeinated Beverages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore adolescents' attitudes and beliefs toward the consumption of caffeinated beverages and factors influencing their caffeinated beverage choice and consumption patterns.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty focus groups were conducted with grades 9 to 12 secondary school students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two secondary schools in London, Ontario, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 166 adolescents, 42% of whom were male and 72% of whom were in grades 9 and 10.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adolescent views regarding caffeine and caffeinated beverages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three researchers independently conducted inductive content analysis on the data using the principles of the immersion-crystallization method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Awareness levels regarding types of caffeinated beverages and their negative health effects were high in adolescents whereas awareness of other aspects of caffeine itself and recommended consumption levels were low. Adolescents also identified reasons for caffeine use, including providing energy, taste, accessibility, and image enhancement. Influences for caffeine use most noted by participants included parental role modeling, media and advertising, and social norms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further education is needed to correct the misconceptions adolescents have regarding certain aspects of caffeine. By gaining a deeper understanding of adolescents' caffeine use, effective educational strategies may be developed to reduce its use and mitigate potential harms.
authors.affiliation: Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Paige
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Turton
authors.affiliation: Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Len
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Piché
authors.affiliation: Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, Ontario, Canada. Electronic address: dbattra@uwo.ca.
authors.forename: Danielle S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Battram
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001628:Beverages; D002110:Caffeine; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D002110:Caffeine
keywords: adolescents; attitudes; caffeinated beverages; caffeine; focus groups