Energy Drink Consumption among Adolescents Attending Schools in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo

Trésor Carsi Kuhangana, Taty Muta Musambo, Joseph Pyana Kitenge, Tony Kayembe-Kitenge, Arlène Kazadi Ngoy, Paul Musa Obadia, Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu, Angélique Kamugisha, Eric Deconinck, Benoit Nemery and Joris Van Loco
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Trésor Carsi Kuhangana: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Public health, University of Kolwezi, Kolwezi 07301, Democratic Republic of Congo
Taty Muta Musambo: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Joseph Pyana Kitenge: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tony Kayembe-Kitenge: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Arlène Kazadi Ngoy: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Paul Musa Obadia: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Célestin Banza Lubaba Nkulu: Unit of Toxicology and Environment, School of Public Health, University of Lubumbashi, Lubumbashi 07601, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angélique Kamugisha: Physical and Chemical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Eric Deconinck: Physical and Chemical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Benoit Nemery: Centre for Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
Joris Van Loco: Physical and Chemical Health Risks, Sciensano, 1050 Brussels, Belgium

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 14, 1-12

Abstract: Background: The consumption of energy drinks (EDs) is increasing in the general population, but little is known about the consumption of EDs among pupils in Africa. This study was designed to assess the consumption of EDs among pupils between 10 and 17 years of age and to assess average caffeine concentrations contained in EDs sold in Lubumbashi. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in five schools using a standardised questionnaire taken face-to-face. Samples of locally purchased EDs were analysed by High Performance Liquid Chromatography with Ultra-Violet spectrometry (HPLC-UV). Results: Of 338 pupils (54% girls), 63% reported having consumed at least one ED in the last week and 34% drank at least one ED a day. The cheapest ED was the most widely consumed. Among pupils having consumed at least one ED in the last week, 79% reported consuming it for refreshment and 15% to get energy. For those who reported not consuming EDs, 40% reported that their parents or teachers forbade them to drink EDs. Some (14%) teenagers, mainly boys, mixed ED with alcohol. The concentrations of caffeine measured in twelve brands of EDs ranged from 7.6 to 29.4 mg/100 mL (median 23.3), giving caffeine contents of 37.5 to 160 mg (median 90 mg) per can or bottle. The estimated daily intake of caffeine through EDs was between 51.3 mg and 441.3 mg among those consuming EDs regularly. Conclusion: Our study convincingly demonstrates that caffeine-containing EDs are not only consumed by youngsters living in affluent societies. We documented widespread regular consumption of EDs among (pre-)adolescent schoolchildren living in Lubumbashi, a large city of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In view of the global market expansion of caffeinated EDs, it is reasonable to suspect that similar surveys in other urban areas of sub-Saharan Africa would yield similar findings. Pricing and advertising regulations and education on EDs are necessary to limit the regular consumption of EDs among adolescents.

Keywords: adolescent pupils; energy drink consumption; alcohol; caffeine (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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