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. 2018 Mar 30;59(1):E63-E74.
doi: 10.15167/2421-4248/jpmh2018.59.1.813. eCollection 2018 Mar.

Energy drink and ginseng consumption by Italian university students: a cross-sectional study

Affiliations

Energy drink and ginseng consumption by Italian university students: a cross-sectional study

S Majori et al. J Prev Med Hyg. .

Abstract

Introduction: The consumption of energy drinks (ED) and ginseng by young people to enhance their mental and physical performance has become widespread. Reported side-effects of ED have raised doubts regarding their safety. This cross-sectional study investigates the phenomenon.

Methods: An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of Verona university students. The resulting data were analyzed with Excel 2013, STATA 13 software.

Results: ED and ginseng consumption was reported by 38.6% and 37.4% of the students, respectively. More than 70% of ED and ginseng users were 18 to 22 years old. Excluding non-responders, ED consumers were mostly males (51.8% vs 33.0%), contrary to ginseng consumers (females 40.4% vs 30.9%). Being a working student was significantly positively associated both to EDs (OR 1.5) and ginseng use (OR 1.4). The most frequently reported academic and other reasons for ED use were: "to study longer" (47.5%), and "to socialize" (29.1%). The most often used combinations were ED containing alcohol (65.6%) and ginseng-coffee beverages (71.8%).

Conclusions: The diffusion of ED and ginseng consumption warrants prevention and monitoring measures, and deserves further analysis.

Keywords: Behavior; Energy Drink; Ginseng; Italys; University Students.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Socio demographic features of students’ parents. (Prevalence rate).
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Distribution of ED and ginseng users by degree and year of course. (Prevalence rate).
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Distribution of ginseng use associated or not with other substances. (Prevalence rate).

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