Caffeine is found in a wide range of foods and beverages. Too much caffeine can cause a variety of health problems. The CS Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health asked a national sample of parents of children ages 13 to 18 about their teens' caffeine intake.
Parents report that the most common sources of caffeine for teens are soda (73%), tea (32%), coffee (31%), and energy drinks (22%). Parents say teens most often consume caffeine at home (81%), while eating out (43%), while spending time with friends (35%) and during school (25%). He is said to be consuming caffeine. Almost a quarter of parents say their teenager consumes caffeine most or all days of the week (9% daily and 14% between 4 and 6 days). More parents of teens ages 16 to 18 than those ages 13 to 15 reported daily caffeine intake (14% vs. 6%). Parents of teens who consume caffeine most or all days of the week are more likely to find that their teen's favorite product contains caffeine (43%) or because their coworker drinks the same product. (23%) say they drink caffeine. Parents say their teens drink caffeine to keep them awake during the day (18%), to start school earlier (16%), and to help with studying and concentration (13%) There aren't that many answers.
74% of parents who reported that their teens consumed caffeine 0 to 3 days a week said their family usually doesn't drink caffeinated drinks at home (42%) or that their teens consume caffeine 0-3 days a week are trying to get healthy (29%) or say they don't want to drink because it interferes with their sleep (11%).
Most parents believe they know if their teen is consuming too much caffeine (66%) and which products have too much caffeine (61%). 60% said they had heard about the risks of products high in caffeine. Two-thirds (64%) of parents believe the recommended daily caffeine limit for teenagers is less than 100 mg, but 57% do not recommend drinking beverages to teenagers. He said he rarely considers the amount of caffeine when making purchases. Parents are more likely to talk to parents or other family members (60%), teachers, coaches, or other school personnel (24%), or health care providers (21%) about their teen's risk of consuming too much caffeine. I think you've heard it from.
Two-thirds (67%) of parents say they themselves consume caffeine most or all days of the week. One-third (34%) of parents said they had tried to reduce their caffeine intake, and 16% said their teenage child had tried to reduce their caffeine intake.
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One in four parents say their teenager consumes caffeine every day or almost every day. Two out of three girlfriends of parents think they know if their teenage child is consuming too much caffeine. One in three of her parents are not aware of the recommended caffeine limit for teenagers.
what it means
Caffeine is a drug that stimulates the brain and nervous system and can increase alertness, concentration, and energy in the short term. When teenagers consume too much caffeine, it can affect their mood, sleep, and school performance, along with side effects such as headaches, upset stomach, and heart palpitations. Like any other drug, consuming caffeine can lead to addiction. Additionally, the effects wear off over time, meaning you need to drink more to get the same effect, increasing your risk of negative side effects.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that for healthy adults, intake of 400 milligrams per day is “generally not associated with dangerous effects.” FDA does not provide guidance to teens due to insufficient evidence. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages caffeine intake by children and adolescents, and other experts suggest limiting adolescents' caffeine intake to 100 milligrams per day. But the Mott poll found that one in three parents thought her recommended daily limit was higher.
Even if parents are aware of these recommendations, estimating their teenager's caffeine intake can be difficult. An 8-ounce cup of coffee contains about 100 milligrams of caffeine, but coffee beverages come in a variety of sizes and types, and many contain excessive caffeine levels. Sodas, sports drinks, and even certain brands of water can contain large amounts of caffeine. Additionally, caffeine is found in products that parents may be suspicious of, such as gum, snack bars, and over-the-counter painkillers. Parents in this Mott poll indicated that the most common place for teens to consume caffeine is at home. Therefore, parents may be able to reduce their teens' caffeine intake by checking product labels and choosing products that do not contain caffeine.
Increased independence during adolescence means teens can choose which products to purchase and consume without parental intervention. This can be a challenge for parents trying to monitor or limit their teens' caffeine intake. Teens may choose caffeinated drinks from vending machines at school or spend their own money on caffeinated products. Parents may want to talk to their teens about the negative effects of too much caffeine and consider considering non-caffeine options for their teens when going to school or out with friends.
Energy drinks are popular with teenagers. One energy drink can contain up to 500 mg of caffeine along with added sugars. Although this level of caffeine is unhealthy, teens may argue that they need an energy drink to stay awake and alert. In these situations, parents should examine other factors that may be disrupting their adolescent's sleep and work with the adolescent to adjust schedules and bedtimes.
Reducing or eliminating caffeine intake is often difficult and can cause withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, nervousness, and irritability. Parents whose teenagers consume caffeine all or most days of the week should consider whether their teenage child is dependent on caffeine. In this Mott poll, one-third of parents are trying to cut back on their own caffeine use. Parents can use their experience to help their teen develop a plan for slow weight loss to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Parents may ask their teen's health care provider to explain the risks of caffeine and suggest strategies to reduce caffeine intake. Additionally, parents can help their teens choose non-caffeinated options that they can consume at home.
