Adolescent caffeine consumption and aggressive behavior: A longitudinal assessment

Caffeine, Daytime Sleepiness, and Conduct Problems Among Early Adolescents: A Longitudinal Analysis

PURPOSE

Recent research suggests that caffeine use may promote a range of adjustment difficulties among adolescents, particularly during the middle school years. The effects of caffeine are particularly concerning given the increased use of high-dosage caffeine products, such as energy drinks, among youth. We investigated the influence of caffeine use on trajectories of conduct problems among early adolescents. Daytime sleepiness was tested as mediator of caffeine's effect.

METHODS

Hypotheses were tested with longitudinal (4 waves) data from 2,633 middle school students beginning in the Fall of sixth grade and concluding in the spring of seventh grade. All students in a single class cohort at 20 West Virginia middle schools were invited to participate.

RESULTS

Controlling for family affluence and management practices and pubertal development, use of more than 100 mg of caffeine significantly predicted linear increases in conduct problems over time (Est. = 0.23, p = .015). Increases in daytime sleepiness partially mediated this effect (Est. = 0.22, p = .002).

DISCUSSION

Caffeine use and daytime sleepiness are important vulnerability factors for the emergence of conduct problems.

Relationships Among Soda and Energy Drink Consumption, Substance Use, Mental Health and Risk-Taking Behavior in Adolescents

Background/Objectives: Energy drink (ED) use is increasing among children and adolescents, but little is known about the impacts on health, including substance use and mental health. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between soda and ED consumption and substance use, mental health, and risk taking in a nationally representative sample of high school students. Methods: We used data from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) from New Jersey, Montana, and Florida to assess these relationships using binary and multinomial regression analyses to determine odds ratios, comparing non-consumers with daily consumers. The sample was 10,548 adolescents (51.6% female) between the ages of 13-19 years. Results: Daily soda and ED consumption were associated with greater odds of substance use (OR(95% CI): 5.8 (3.7, 6.9)/10.2 (6.4, 16.3)), poorer mental health (OR(95% CI): 2.6 (1.3, 4.8)/1.8 (1.2, 2.8), and higher odds of eating fast food (OR(95% CI): 17.2 (8.9, 33)/10.6 (5.6, 19.9). These effects were moderated by sex. Conclusions: These findings suggest that soda and ED use are associated with greater risk taking among adolescents and that these relationships are moderated by sex. Future studies should determine the directionality of these relationships and examine the impact of reduced soda and ED consumption on health behaviors in children and adolescents.

Aggression and the Big Five Personality Factors Among Fitness Practitioners and Pre-Workout Consumers

Background: The use of pre-workout supplements has surged among fitness practitioners, with various ingredients purported to enhance performance and recovery. This study aims to explore the potential link between pre-workout supplement consumption and aggression, as well as the correlation between the Big Five personality traits and aggression levels. Methods: The sample comprised 62 male fitness practitioners aged 20-55 years, divided into two groups: 32 pre-workout consumers and 30 non-consumers. Participants were assessed using the Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). Results: The results indicated no statistically significant differences in aggression levels between the supplement users and the control group. However, notable personality differences were observed, with pre-workout users showing lower Neuroticism and higher Agreeableness and Conscientiousness compared to non-users. Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive relationship between Neuroticism and all forms of aggression, while Agreeableness and Conscientiousness were negatively correlated with aggression. Conclusions: These findings suggest that personality traits may play a more substantial role in moderating aggression among pre-workout users than the supplements themselves. Further research is needed to clarify the potential long-term effects of pre-workout supplementation on aggression and personality dynamics.

Caffeine affects the neurobehavioral impact of sodium benzoate in adolescent rats

The continuous high intake of caffeinated products may harm CNS. Sodium benzoate (SB), broadly used for food preservation, may also have an impact. The current research studied the influence of caffeine and two doses of SB during adolescence period on behavior and brain alterations. Adolescent rats (90-120 gm) were exposed to vehicle, SB 100 and 400 mg/kg, p.o, caffeine (30 mg/kg, i.p), SB 100 or 400 + caffeine for 28 days. Locomotor performances were assessed by the open field, learning and memory were considered with novel object and y-maze, while anxiety was evaluated by light and dark as well as successive allays tests. The results showed that the motor activity of adolescent rats increased with each single treatment. Recognition memory was improved by SB100 and its combination with caffeine while working memory was reduced by SB (100 or 400) combination with caffeine compared with caffeine group. The anxiolytic effect of caffeine was reduced by SB co-treatment in either dose. Concerning biochemical study in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, oxidative biomarkers as well as Cholinesterase content were elevated due to SB400 + caffeine. Dopamine content was almost elevated by all treatments in both regions while GABA content was increased in the frontal cortex only. The obtained results pointed to histopathological changes as a result of brain oxidative stress and undesirable working memory consequences due to caffeine administration with SB, mostly the large dose. The outcomes propose new recommendations to evade the consolidation between processed nourishment and caffeinated beverages during adolescence.