Prevalence and Determinants of Energy Drink Consumption Among Chilean Adolescents

Background: Energy drink (ED) consumption has increased significantly among adolescents worldwide, constituting a high-risk behavior with important public health implications. These beverages are associated with cardiovascular disturbances, sleep disorders, anxiety symptoms, and risky behaviors, especially when combined with alcohol. In Chile, monthly per capita ED consumption among individuals aged 14 to 30 increased ninefold between 2010 and 2020. Objectives: To examine the prevalence of ED consumption and its associated determinants among Chilean adolescents enrolled in grade eight through grade twelve. Methods: Data were drawn from the national representative survey 2023 entitled Fifteenth National Study on the School Population of Chile (ENPE). The final sample included 45,042 adolescents. Besides descriptive analyses, both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between sociodemographic characteristics, parental presence, monitoring, and ED consumption outcomes. Results: Lifetime prevalence of ED consumption was 71.0%, with higher rates in females (72.8%) than males (69.4%). Past-month consumption was reported by 46.2%, with a higher prevalence in males (48.3%) than females (43.9%). Lifetime consumption of ED mixed with alcohol (AmED) was 23.2%, being more frequent among females (26.4%) than males (19.9%). Age, grade level, and indigenous identity were consistently associated with higher odds of consumption. Parental monitoring and involvement indicators were inversely associated with both ED and AmED consumption. Conclusions: This study reveals a high prevalence of ED consumption among Chilean adolescents, with notable gender differences. Family protective factors, particularly parental monitoring and cohesion, emerge as key determinants of this risky behavior and warrant prioritization in public health prevention efforts.