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Caffeine Intake among Undergraduate Students: Sex Differences, Sources, Motivations, and Associations with Smoking
Aina Riera-Sampol1,2, Lluis Rodas3, Sonia Martínez1,2
1Research Group on Evidence, Lifestyles and Health, Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Research Institute of Health Sciences (IUNICS), University of the Balearic Islands, 07122 Palma, Spain.
Nutrients
|April 23, 2022
Summary
Most university students consume caffeine for alertness and cognitive enhancement. Higher caffeine intake was linked to being female, a smoker, and poorer sleep quality, with coffee being the primary source.
Area of Science:
- * Behavioral Science
- * Nutritional Science
- * Public Health
Background:
- * Caffeine is a widely consumed psychoactive substance, frequently used by university students to improve mood, alertness, and academic performance.
- * Understanding caffeine consumption patterns and associated behaviors among undergraduates is crucial for public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate caffeine consumption habits among university undergraduates.
- * To explore associations between caffeine intake and demographic factors, substance use (smoking, alcohol, cannabis), dietary habits (fruit and vegetable consumption), and sleep quality.
- * To identify primary motivations for caffeine consumption in this population.
Main Methods:
- * A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 886 undergraduate students aged 18–25 years at the University of the Balearic Islands.
- * Data collected included caffeine consumption, smoking status, alcohol and cannabis use, dietary intake, sleep quality, and motivations for caffeine use.
Main Results:
- * 91.1% of participants consumed caffeine, with higher intake reported by females, smokers, and consumers of alcohol and cannabis.
- * Coffee was the predominant source of caffeine, though women favored tea and men favored energy drinks.
- * Cognitive enhancement was the main motivation for caffeine intake, which was significantly associated with poorer subjective sleep quality.
Conclusions:
- * Undergraduate caffeine consumption is prevalent and associated with specific demographic and behavioral factors, including gender, smoking, and substance use.
- * Coffee is the primary source, with notable gender differences in the consumption of tea and energy drinks.
- * Universities should implement health campaigns addressing the risks of high caffeine intake and its links to smoking, alcohol use, and poor sleep, emphasizing impacts on health and academic success.
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