CAFFEINE AND
KIDS IN AMERICA
By Kimberly Tsung
Topics
◦ Background on Caffeine
◦ Medical Concerns?
◦ How much caffeine do American Kids consume
◦ Has caffeine consumption changed in recent history?
Background on Caffeine
◦ Found naturally primarily in tea, coffee, cocoa
◦ Cocoa was the first to be mass consumed
◦ 1640: coffee made it’s way to Europe
◦ History of Tea is complex
◦ Energy drinks emerged in the late 1990s
How Does
Caffeine
Work?
•
Natural Stimulant
•
Targets the Central
Nervous System
•
Increases Adrenaline
levels in body
•
Blocks Adenosine
•
Increases Dopamine
and Glutamine
Limitations of Caffeine Studies
◦ Most studies published now include only the years 1990-2010
◦ Most research done on adults
◦ A lot of data acquired through recall
Trends in Caffeine Consumption
◦ About 85% of the US population drinks caffeine
◦ Men consume more caffeine than women
◦ The daily intake of caffeine usually comes from one sitting
◦ Type of caffeine consumed changes
Trends in Caffeine Intake Among US
Children and Adolescents by the American
Academy of Pediatrics
◦ comparing 3 ethnic groups Non-Hispanic White, Non-Hispanic Black, MexicanAmerican
◦ boys drank more caffeine than girls
◦ Linear trend for income and consumption
◦ Caffeine consumption increases with age
◦ 63% in 2-5 year olds
◦ 75+% in middle to high schoolers
•
Soda is the most
common source of
Caffeine (declined
from 62% to 38%)
•
coffee accounted for
10% of caffeine
intake but increased
to 24%
•
Tea consumption was
relatively stable
•
Energy drink
consumption
increased
significantly
Are There Any Medical Concerns?
Beneficial Side Effects
Harmful Side Effects
◦ Insomnia
◦ Nervousness / Anxiety
◦ Increased Attention
◦ Awareness
◦ Increased Athletic Performance
◦ Stomach Irritation
◦ Nausea
◦ Vomiting
◦ Increased Heart Rate
◦ Endurance
◦ Hypertension
◦ Mood...