title: Caffeine consumption patterns and determinants among adolescents in Serbia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of adolescents who use caffeine is constantly increasing. As juvenile age is vulnerable, it is reasonable to expect that they will differently perceive reason and react to caffeine use than adults, and be more prone to unwanted physiological and psychological consequences of its consumption.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Analysis of the scope and pattern of caffeine consumption among adolescents in Serbia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional survey was implemented in the study population of 191 Serbian adolescents during 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median daily intake of caffeine was 95.6 mg. The major source of caffeine was brewed coffee, and the most common reasons for caffeine intake were leisure, peer influence, or habit. Only 57.6% of the subjects were aware that caffeine is present in consumed beverages. Sex affected the pattern, but not the overall level, of caffeine consumption. No association between caffeine consumption and smoking status, frequency of caffeine use in the family, or negative personal experience with caffeine effects was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our investigation provides first and rather detailed insight into caffeine-containing beverage consumption scope and pattern among Serbian adolescents. For accurate estimation and analysis of caffeine intake in this population, randomized studies with prospective longitudinal design, caffeine content measurement, and more subjects involved are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Dragana Dragas
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Milovanovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Mihajlo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jakovljevic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Serbia.
authors.forename: Milica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scekic
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Kragujevac, Svetozara Markovica 69, 34 000 Kragujevac, Serbia, Phone: +381 34 306 800 ext. 223, Fax: +381 34 306 800.
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Djordjevic
keywords: Serbian; adolescents; caffeine; consumption habits