Characterization of Energy Drink Consumption Among Medical Interns at the General Hospital of Barrio Obrero, Paraguay, August–December 2024
Main Article Content
Keywords
Energy Drinks, Medical Students, Drinking Behavior, Student Health, Health Risk Behaviors
Abstract
Introduction: Energy drinks (EDs) are non-alcoholic beverages with high levels of caffeine, sugars, and other stimulant compounds. Their consumption has increased among university students, potentially leading to adverse health effects. Objective: To characterize energy drink consumption habits among medical students completing their rotating internship at the General Hospital of Barrio Obrero during August–December 2024.
Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The population included all medical students enrolled in the rotating internship, and the accessible population consisted of those present during the study period. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used. Ethical principles of confidentiality and respect were maintained. Results: A total of 64 students participated; 45% were aged 16–35 years, 55% were male, and 80% were single. Nearly half (48%) were from Mariano Roque Alonso. Overall, 84% reported consuming EDs. The main reason for consumption was reducing sleepiness (45%). The most frequent intake pattern was 2–4 times per day (48%). The most commonly consumed presentation was a 500 ml can or bottle (53%). The most frequently reported adverse effect was tachycardia (31%). Conclusion: A high prevalence of energy drink consumption was observed among medical interns, with frequent intake patterns primarily associated with reducing sleepiness. These findings highlight the need for educational and preventive strategies addressing the health risks related to excessive ED consumption.
References
2. Bazán J, Campos J, Gutiérrez N, González L. Frecuencia y razones de consumo de bebidas energéticas en jóvenes universitarios. Rev Salud Adm. 2019;6(17):17-26. Disponible en: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335587228
3. López LGA, González JCR, Izquierdo GM. Representaciones sociales del consumo de bebidas energéticas en estudiantes de enfermería. Rev Cub Salud Pública. 2020;46(2):e1156. Disponible en: https://revsaludpublica.sld.cu/index.php/spu/article/view/1156
4. Silva Maldonado P, Ramírez Moreno E, Arias Rico J, Fernández Cortés TL. Patrones de consumo de bebidas energéticas y sus efectos adversos en la salud de adolescentes. Rev Esp Salud Pública. 2022;96:e32. Disponible en: https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=8655676
5. Gutiérrez-Hellín J, Varillas-Delgado D. Energy drinks and sports performance, cardiovascular risk, and genetic associations. Nutrients. 2021;13(3):715. Disponible en: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7995988/
6. Fajardo-Bonilla E, Méndez-Martínez C, Ibatá-Bernal L. Consumo de bebidas energizantes en escolares de Bogotá, Colombia. Rev Salud Pública. 2018;20(5). Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.15446/rsap.v20n5.67430
7. Manrique C, Arroyave-Hoyos C, Galvis-Pareja D. Bebidas cafeinadas energizantes: efectos neurológicos y cardiovasculares. Iatreia. 2018;31(1):35. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iatreia.v31
8. Del Valle-González M, Fajardo L, Esteban H, Gordon C, Abril L, Vargas L. Prevalencia del consumo de bebidas energizantes y efectos adversos en estudiantes de medicina. Repert Med Cir. 2023;1:1-7. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.31260/RepertMedCir.01217372.1445
9. Grgic J, Pedisic Z, Saunders B, Artioli G, Schoenfeld B, McKenna M, et al. Sodium bicarbonate and exercise performance: ISSN position stand. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2021;18:61. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12970-021-00458-w
10. Stacey N, Walbeek C, Maboshe M, Tugendhaft A, Hofman K. Energy drink consumption and marketing in South Africa. Prev Med. 2017;96:S32-S36. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2017.05.011
11. Schröder H, Cruz Muñoz V, Urquizu Rovira M, Valls Ibañez V, Manresa Domínguez JM, Ruiz Blanco G, et al. Determinants of consumption of soda, sports, and energy drinks in Spanish adolescents. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):1858. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34072460/
12. Rocha LL, Pessoa MC, Gratão LHA, Carmo AS, Cunha CF, Oliveira TRPR, et al. Health behavior patterns of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption among Brazilian adolescents. PLoS One. 2021;16(1):e0245203. Disponible en: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33411845/
13. Apraez G. Consumo de bebidas energizantes en estudiantes de ciencias de la salud, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá. 2021. Disponible en: https://repository.javeriana.edu.co/handle/10554/58027
14. Agreda López LG, Rodríguez González JC, Mendieta Izquierdo G. Representaciones sociales del consumo de bebidas energéticas en estudiantes de enfermería. Rev Cub Salud Pública. 2020;46(2):e1156. Disponible en: http://scielo.sld.cu/pdf/rcsp/v46n2/1561-3127-rcsp-46-02-e1156.pdf
15. Beltrán K, Cardona W. Efectos médicos del consumo de bebidas energéticas. Int J Med Surg Sci. 2017;4(2):1167-73. Disponible en: https://revistas.uautonoma.cl/index.php/ijmss/article/download/107/103
16. Manrique C, Arroyave-Hoyos C, Galvis-Pareja D. Bebidas cafeinadas energizantes: efectos neurológicos y cardiovasculares. Iatreia. 2018;31(1):35. Disponible en: https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.iatreia.v31
17. Riveros de la Cruz J. Factores asociados al consumo de bebidas energizantes en estudiantes de medicina humana. Huancayo, Perú; 2024. Disponible en: https://repositorio.uncp.edu.pe/handle/20.500.12894/11015
18. Rivera Ruiz AM, Vázquez Monsalve DM. Consumo de bebidas energizantes y calidad de sueño en estudiantes de medicina. Pimentel, Perú; 2024. Disponible en: https://repositorio.uss.edu.pe/handle/20.500.12802/12245
19. Reyes Narváez S, Rodríguez Figueroa A, Oyola Canto M. Consumo de bebidas energizantes y factores asociados en estudiantes universitarios. Nutr Clín Diet Hosp. 2024;44(1):257-64. Disponible en: https://revista.nutricion.org/index.php/ncdh/article/view/596
20. Aldama Serafini K. Prevalencia del consumo de psicoestimulantes lícitos en estudiantes de medicina. Universidad Nacional de Caaguazú; 2021. Disponible en: https://repositorio.fcmunca.edu.py/jspui/handle/123456789/283
21. Reid SD, Ramsarran J, Brathwaite R, Lyman S, Baker A, D’Andra C, et al. Energy drink usage among university students in a Caribbean country. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2015;5(1):103-16. Disponible en: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2210600614000525
22. Morocho Argudo BA. Prevalencia del consumo de bebidas energizantes en estudiantes de ciencias médicas. Universidad de Cuenca, Ecuador; 2024. Disponible en: https://rest-dspace.ucuenca.edu.ec/server/api/core/bitstreams/7272b28d-ca9d-4567-9437-47ef03665a1b/content
23. Falla Rafur M. Caracterización del consumo de bebidas energizantes en estudiantes universitarios. Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá; 2019. Disponible en: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/222782075.pdf
24. Tejeda Cerna M. Consumo de bebidas energizantes y efectos en la salud en estudiantes de medicina. Guatemala; 2012. Disponible en: https://biblioteca-farmacia.usac.edu.gt/Tesis/QF1218.pdf
25. Verón JA, Ayala L, Cumbay L, Díaz V, Molinas C, Morales LG. Consumo de bebidas con cafeína en estudiantes de bioquímica. Rev Med (Asunción). 2024;12(2):1-9. Disponible en: https://revistas.uninorte.edu.py/index.php/medicina/article/view/v12n2a4
Article Sidebar
Article Details
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
RHCS uses the Creative Commons License 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). For more information, please visit