Title

Cardiovascular Impacts of Energy Drink Consumption on Adolescents in New South Wales

Introduction

Energy drinks, packed with caffeine, sugar, and various stimulants, have become increasingly popular among adolescents in New South Wales (Nuss et al., 2021). Their promise of instant energy and increased alertness has made them a go-to beverage for many. However, with global rising consumption, concerns about potential cardiovascular effects on this age group are growing.

Background

The allure of energy drinks for many adolescents lies in their perceived benefits: increased stamina, improved concentration, and heightened alertness. However, these beverages are not without potential drawbacks. Preliminary studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that excessive consumption may have adverse effects on the cardiovascular system (Pallangyo et al., 2023). While the impact of these drinks on adults has been covered by numerous studies, there is a noticeable lack of comprehensive research targeting adolescents in NSW, a group undergoing significant physiological changes.

Literature Review

Abdikodirovna et al. (2023) documented the temporary elevation in blood pressure and heart rate resulting from caffeine's stimulatory action on the central nervous system. They further posited that individuals with existing heart ailments could be at heightened risk. Oberhoffer et al. (2022) explored the incomplete cardiovascular development in teenagers, suggesting that hormonal shifts during puberty might cause varying responses to caffeine. While Mansour et al. (2019) observed increased heart rates and blood pressure in adolescent energy drink consumers, the limited sample size of their study emphasized the necessity for more expansive and inclusive research.

Research Gap and Significance

Given the unique physiological and developmental stage of the chosen demographic, understanding the potential risks of regular energy drink consumption becomes paramount (Galimov et al., 2019). This research will not only bridge this knowledge gap but will also offer invaluable insights for adolescents, parents, healthcare professionals, educators, and policymakers.

Research question

"How does the regular consumption of energy drinks impact the blood pressure and heart rate of adolescents in New South Wales over a six-month period?"

Aims and benefits

Aims

•    To thoroughly examine the relationship between energy drink consumption and variations in blood pressure and heart rate among adolescents in New South Wales, addressing the highlighted geographical specificity.
•    To ascertain if there are specific demographic subsets within the adolescent population of New South Wales that are more susceptible to cardiovascular changes due to energy drink consumption.
•    To elucidate the immediate and mid-term (up to six months) cardiovascular responses post energy drink consumption among the targeted demographic.

Benefits

•    Enhanced Health Awareness: Provide more geographically relevant information, addressing the feedback, to adolescents and caregivers in New South Wales about risks associated with energy drink consumption.
•    Targeted Healthcare Interventions: Empower healthcare providers with region-specific data to design interventions for adolescents showing pronounced cardiovascular alterations due to energy drinks.
•    Strengthened Policy Framework: Influence New South Wales' policy decisions on energy drink marketing, sales, and distribution, especially targeting adolescents.

Design and setting

Design

The research is structured as a longitudinal observational study, designed to comprehensively evaluate the cardiovascular effects of energy drink consumption among adolescents. By employing this design, the intent is to meticulously track both immediate and mid-term cardiovascular changes over a six-month period.

This extended observation period is crucial to capture not only the immediate spikes in blood pressure and heart rate following consumption but also to discern any lingering effects or patterns that might emerge over a longer duration.

Participants will attend regular monthly check-up sessions where their blood pressure and heart rate will be recorded and cross-referenced to ascertain any consistent patterns or correlations.

Setting

The study is set in New South Wales to capture a broad spectrum of socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental factors that might influence energy drink consumption patterns and their effects.

Primary data collection points and participants source will be schools, community centres, and local clinics across urban, suburban, and rural areas of New South Wales, offering convenience for participants attending the monthly sessions.

Sampling

Eligibility Criteria

Participants eligible for the study are adolescents aged between 13 to 19 years, residing in New South Wales. Those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions or on medications that can interfere with cardiovascular parameters will be excluded, ensuring that the observed effects can be attributed largely to energy drink consumption (Chen, 2020).

Sample Size

A diverse mix of participants of 500 adolescents is sought. This number is determined to achieve adequate statistical power while accounting for potential dropouts.

Sampling Method

A stratified random sampling technique will be adopted. Given the diverse demographics of New South Wales, participants will be stratified based on urban, suburban, and rural classifications. This ensures a proportionate representation from each stratum, enabling insights into any location-based variations in energy drink consumption effects.

Recruitment Procedures

Potential participants will be identified through collaboration with schools, community centres, and local clinics. Information sessions will be held at these institutions to inform adolescents and their guardians about the study's objectives and procedures. Interested individuals will undergo a preliminary screening to confirm eligibility. Once consent forms (from guardians for those under 18) are obtained, individuals will be enrolled in the study.

Measures and materials

•    Automated Blood Pressure Monitor: A clinically approved automated blood pressure monitor will be utilized to measure participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressures. This ensures accurate, consistent, and rapid measurements with minimal human error (Muntner et al., 2019).
•    Heart Rate Monitor: A wrist-worn heart rate monitor, renowned for its precision in continuous heart rate tracking, will be distributed to participants. These monitors are non-invasive and user-friendly, allowing adolescents to wear them without discomfort (Marinari et al., 2022).

Energy Drinks

A standard, commercially available energy drink will be provided to participants. The nutritional and ingredient information will be noted to ensure consistency in the type and amount of caffeine and other stimulants consumed.

Questionnaires

Standardized questionnaires will be used to gather data on participants' general health, lifestyle, and the frequency of energy drink consumption, providing context to the observed physiological changes.

Procedures

Initial Screening

Participants will undergo a medical history review and baseline cardiovascular measurements to ensure they meet the eligibility criteria.

Energy Drink Consumption

Participants will be observed at the research facility in a resting state for 30 minutes before and after consumption to ensure accurate measurements.

Cardiovascular Measurements

Following the American Heart Association standards, participants are set to ingest 946.353 ml of either energy drink A, energy drink B, or a placebo over a span of 60 minutes on three designated study days, separated by a 6-day interval for washout, wherein the QTc, QT, and PR intervals, QRS duration, heart rate, brachial and central blood pressures, shall be recorded at the starting point and subsequently every 30 minutes for a total of 240 minutes (Shah et al., 2019).

Questionnaire Administration

Post the final cardiovascular measurement, participants will complete the questionnaire, detailing their usual frequency and reasons for energy drink consumption.

Data Compilation

Anonymized data will be compiled and used for analysis to maintain privacy and ethical standards.

Data analysis

The collected data will undergo statistical analysis using SPSS software.

Ethics

Informed Consent
•    Before participation, written consent of all adolescents and their guardians will be obtained after providing detailed information about the study's objectives, procedures, and potential risks.
Confidentiality
•    All data collected will be anonymized and coded to protect participants' identities.
Health Risks
•    Participants will be closely monitored for adverse reactions and provided medical intervention if necessary.
Transparency and Accountability
•    All sources used are either open access or attached in appendices.
•    Results will be reported honestly, without bias or manipulation.
•    Participants will have the option to receive a summary of the study's findings.

 

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References

 Abdikodirovna, Y. N., Sur'atovich, O. F., & Surayyo, N. (2023). Influence of Energy Drinks Components on Different Human Organs and Systems. Open Access Repository, 4(2), 578-588. https://www.oarepo.org/index.php/oa/article/view/1828/1814
Chen, M. (2020). Effects of Chronic Energy Drink Consumption on Cardiometabolic Endpoints. https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4663&context=uop_etds
Galimov, A., Hanewinkel, R., Hansen, J., Unger, J. B., Sussman, S., & Morgenstern, M. (2019). Energy drink consumption among German adolescents: Prevalence, correlates, and predictors of initiation. Appetite, 139, 172–179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2019.04.016
Marinari, S., Volpe, P., Simoni, M., Aventaggiato, M., De Benedetto, F., Nardini, S., Sanguinetti, C. M., & Palange, P. (2022). Accuracy of a new pulse oximetry in detection of arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate measurements: The sombrero study. Sensors, 22(13), 5031. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22135031
Muntner, P., Shimbo, D., Carey, R. M., Charleston, J. B., Gaillard, T., Misra, S., Myers, M. G., Ogedegbe, G., Schwartz, J. E., Townsend, R. R., Urbina, E. M., Viera, A. J., White, W. B., & Wright, J. T. (2019). Measurement of blood pressure in humans: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Hypertension, 73(5). https://doi.org/10.1161/hyp.0000000000000087
Nuss, T., Morley, B., Scully, M., & Wakefield, M. (2021). Energy drink consumption among Australian adolescents associated with a cluster of unhealthy dietary behaviours and short sleep duration. Nutrition Journal, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-021-00719-z
Oberhoffer, F. S., Dalla-Pozza, R., Jakob, A., Haas, N. A., Mandilaras, G., & Li, P. (2023). Energy drinks: Effects on pediatric 24-H Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring. A randomized trial. Pediatric Research, 94(3), 1172–1179. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-023-02598-y
Pallangyo, P., Bhalia, S. V., Komba, M., Mkojera, Z. S., Swai, H. J., Mayala, H. A., & Kisenge, P. R. (2023). Acute myocardial infarction following the consumption of energy drink in a 28-year-Old male: A case report. Journal of Investigative Medicine High Impact Case Reports, 11, 232470962311688. https://doi.org/10.1177/23247096231168811
Shah, S. A., Szeto, A. H., Farewell, R., Shek, A., Fan, D., Quach, K. N., Bhattacharyya, M., Elmiari, J., Chan, W., O’Dell, K., Nguyen, N., McGaughey, T. J., Nasir, J. M., & Kaul, S. (2019). Impact of high volume energy drink consumption on electrocardiographic and blood pressure parameters: A randomized trial. Journal of the American Heart Association, 8(11). https://doi.org/10.1161/jaha.118.011318