Predictors of caffeine consumption patterns in high school athletes

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Nutritional Science
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Caffeine is widely consumed globally, with increasing use among adolescents.
• Understanding caffeine consumption patterns in young athletes is crucial for health and performance.
• Factors influencing caffeine use in this demographic require detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate caffeine consumption habits in high school athletes.
• To identify demographic and sport-specific factors associated with caffeine use.
• To provide data for informed guidance on caffeine intake in young athletes.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 394 high school athletes in Rhode Island.
• Multivariate and binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine associations between caffeine use and variables like ethnicity, grade, sex, and sport.
• Statistical significance was determined at p ≤ 0.05, with 95% confidence intervals calculated.

Main Results:

• Caffeine use was significantly associated with ethnicity, grade, and sex, explaining 15.5% of the variance.
• Female athletes (67.4%) and Caucasian athletes (55.9%) reported higher caffeine consumption than males and athletes from underrepresented backgrounds, respectively.
• Athletes in dance, cheerleading, and gymnastics showed over tenfold higher likelihood of caffeine consumption compared to other sports.

Conclusions:

• Caffeine use among high school athletes is influenced by sex and ethnicity.
• There is a need to educate young athletes, coaches, and parents on the risks and benefits of caffeine.
• Future research should explore the performance benefits versus potential side effects of caffeine in young athletes.