Energy Drink Project

Principal Investigator

Dr Gina Trapp, Telethon Kids Institute

Chief Investigators

Professor Donna Cross, Telethon Kids Institute and The University of Western Australia
Dr Karen Martin, The University of Western Australia
Dr Hayley Christian, The University of Western Australia
Associate Professor Gina Ambrosini, The University of Western Australia
Catrina McStay, WA Department of Health

Professor Wendy Oddy, University of Tasmania

Associate Investigators

Dr Karina Allen, The University of Western Australia
Dr Marilyn Bromberg, The University of Western Australia
Ms Justine Howard, Notre Dame University
Ms Amelia Hanbury,National Heart Foundation
Krista Coward, WA Department of Health

Project description

Energy drinks have catapulted to popularity among young people and represent the fastest growing segment of the beverage market. Whilst they are marketed to improve the body’s performance, they pose a distinct and independent health risk, over and above that of soft drinks. Energy drinks provide a potent source of caffeine and can contain high levels of sugar, sodium, herbal extracts and amino acids. They are linked to serious adverse health effects leading some countries to limit sales to adults. Similar restrictions have been called for in Australia.

Despite the growing energy drinks market and possible negative health outcomes, research into their use and associated health effects is sparse. The limited literature to-date largely focuses on adults, single patient case studies or convenience samples of University students. This innovative mixed-methods study is one of the first in Australia to comprehensively investigate energy drink consumption in young people (12-17yrs); including prevalence, reported health effects and factors associated with use. Central to our methodology is the involvement of young people and key agencies in health policy and advocacy throughout the research cycle.

The qualitative and quantitative research findings will be used to determine how energy drinks are perceived and used by young consumers, harmful consumption patterns, at-risk groups of consumers and contributing factors amenable to intervention. This important information will be developed into a set of policy and practice guidelines for stakeholders. The combination of the popularity and potential harm posed by energy drinks highlight the significance and importance of this research.

Plain Language summary
The Energy Drink Project is one of the first in Australia to comprehensively investigate energy drink consumption in young people (12-17 years) including why they drink them, what they think of them and whether they have experienced any negative health effects after consuming them. The findings will be used to determine: how energy drinks are perceived and used by young people; harmful consumption patterns and at-risk groups of consumers; factors associated with drinking energy drinks; and what changes to current policy and practice are needed.

Funders of the project
Telethon-Perth Children’s Hospital Research Fund, WA Department of Health

External collaborators

Advisory Stakeholder Committee

Krista Coward, Senior Policy Officer (nutrition policy), WA Department of Health
Ms Eleanor Costello, Manager, Drug Prevention Programs, Drug and Alcohol Office, WA Mental Health Commission
Ms Fiona Reid, Director of Strategic Operations, Kids in Focus WA
Ms Melinda Edmunds, Project Officer, Public Health Advocacy Institute of WA
Ms Melissa Kang, President, Australian Association for Adolescent Health