title: Caffeine Intake Among Adolescents in Delhi.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Availability and advertising of caffeinated drinks is on the rise in Indian market. Excess caffeine intake may have deleterious effects on health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the daily consumption of caffeine among urban school-going adolescents from Delhi.
  
  
  METHODS
  A school-based survey was conducted to determine the amount and pattern of caffeine consumption among students of classes 9-12, using a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 300 participants (median age 15 year, 174 boys), 291 (97%) were consuming caffeine [mean (SD): 121.0 (98.2) mg/day]. Nineteen (6%) students were consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine per day. Tea/coffee contributed to more than 50% of the caffeine intake. The rest was derived from cola beverages, chocolates, and energy drinks.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Average caffeine consumption among school-going adolescents from Delhi is high. The findings of this preliminary survey need to be confirmed in larger data sets.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Mridul
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gera
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kalra
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Piyush
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gupta
keywords: Adolescents; India; average daily consumption; caffeine; children