Teens who Regularly Consume Sports Drinks Engage in Unhealthy Behavior: Study

Teens that frequently consume energy drinks are more likely to develop bad habits like smoking cigarettes, drinking unhealthy beverages and watching too much television, according to a study.

Research team from the University of Minnesota and Duke University found an upshot in the intake of sweetened beverages and energy drinks by adolescents and children that were associated with certain negative behaviors. While, the data from recent survey records suggest a significant reduction in the overall consumption of aerated drinks, many teens and young children continue drinking caffeinated sports and energy drinks in large quantities.

For the trial, experts used data from the 2010 Eating and Activity in Teens (EAT) study involving 2,793 students from 20 schools in Minnesota. All participants included both boys and girls aged 14.4 years on average of whom 81 percent were from non-American ethnic communities.

The study noted the height and weight of the subjects along with their frequency of intake of sports drinks, breakfast, physical activity levels, hours spent watching television or playing video games and smoking habits.

It was observed that boys who reported drinking sports drinks very often in a week spent an extra hour in front of the television than those who did not drink.              

"Boys who consumed energy drinks at least weekly spent approximately four additional hours per week playing video games compared to those who consumed energy drinks less than once per week," said Nicole Larson, study author and researcher at the Nicole Larson, in a snews release.

Even though these drinks are meant to energize and support moderate to higher levels of sports and physical activities, the authors advise against consuming these drinks. The guidelines by the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend sports drinks only after vigorous sports and physical activity. These drinks offer no benefits to health and can even damage the nervous system.

The authors say further study is needed to identify methods to encourage healthy habits in younger adults.

More Information is available online in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior.