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A recent study by Drexel University's College of Nursing Health and Professions has found that many teens who consume caffeine stay up late at night surfing the Web, text messaging and gaming, and dozing off during the day. Researchers asked 100 middle and high school students aged 12 to 18 to complete a questionnaire. The questionnaire asked about nighttime consumption of caffeinated beverages, use of technology and sleep patterns.

Researchers found that only 20 percent of survey respondents got the recommended eight or more hours of sleep on school nights. Approximately 30 percent of teens reported falling asleep during school, and researchers determined that caffeine consumption tended to be 76 percent higher among those students who reported falling asleep.

Lead study author Dr. Christina Calamaro, assistant professor in Drexel's College of Nursing and Health Professions, commented on the study's findings: Many adolescents used multiple forms of technology late into the night and concurrently consumed caffeinated beverages. ... Their ability to stay alert and fully functional throughout the day was impaired by excessive daytime sleepiness."

(Source: www.sciencedaily.com)

Labels: sleep, caffeine

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

School officials in North Carolina are concerned about the excessive caffeine consumption by many students. A recent survey of Charlotte-Mecklenburg students indicated that caffeine-laden energy drinks are extremely popular with teens - a fact that has some local drug abuse prevention officials worried.

To collect baseline data on teen use of energy drinks, Charlotte's Substance Abuse Prevention Services included questions about energy drinks in its annual student survey. According to this year's survey, one-third of participating students reported consuming energy drinks. A recent study published by the Journal of American College Health has also spurred concern over energy drinks; the study linked consumption of energy drinks to troubling behaviors among teens.

Although the U.S. has not issued official recommended caffeine limits for teens, the Canadian government recommends that youth ages 10 to 12 consume no more than 85 milligrams of caffeine per day. Many energy drinks contain about twice the recommended amount of caffeine - as much as 160 milligrams, the equivalent of four cans of Coke. Experts warn that excessive caffeine consumption can cause insomnia, irritability, and headaches.

(Source: www.charlotteobserver.com)

Labels: caffeine, abuse, kids, high school kids

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