College Students Behaviors/Attitudes Toward Caffeine Consumption

The purpose of this study was to learn the attitudes and behaviors of college students and their consumption of caffeine products, including energy drinks. The health affects of caffeine and the new trend of students mixing energy drinks and alcohol is an issue that needs to be looked at on college campuses. A sixteen-item survey was created and answered by thirty midwestern college students. The survey included demographic, Likert, behavioral, and attitudinal questions concerning caffeine consumption. The descriptive data was analyzed in EXCEL and reported using frequencies. The results show that most students 90% know the risks associated with caffeine, yet they still choose to consume such products. The majority of students consume caffeine daily and 62% drink 2-4 caffeinated beverages daily. Eleven percent of respondents drink energy drinks and 69% of all of the respondents strongly agree that mixing energy drinks and alcohol is a risky practice. Overall this study showed that despite knowing the health risk associated with caffeine consumption students continue to drink these products.