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TRENDS OF ENERGY DRINKS, SOFT DRINKS AND BETEL NUTS CONSUMPTION IN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A USE OR AN ABUSE?

Nasreen Qazi, Sadat Memon, Sarah Ashraf, Ashique Ali Arain, Imtiaz Ahmed, Madiha Shah

Energy drinks, Soft Drinks consumption and Betel Nut chewing practices in students is a serious problem in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of energy drinks, soft drinks and betel nut consumption and their adverse effects in students of medical university. A questionnaire based cross sectional study was conducted on 316 students baes on questionnaire. We found 221 (69.94%) students consume energy drinks. Majority of them use energy drinks twice a week and most common brand is Sting. Students said that their energy level increased after taking energy drinks. 280 (88.6%) students consume soft drinks. Majority of them consume soft drink more than twice a week and were aware of the side effects. Out of 316 students, 136(43%) students chew betel nuts. Many of them consume betel nuts twice daily. Conclusion: The consumption of energy drinks, soft drinks and chewing betel nuts is a serious health problem and it is necessary to give awareness about the adverse effects of energy drinks, soft drinks and betel nuts to students. Keywords: Energy Drinks, Betel Nuts, Soft Drinks, Medical Students, Adverse Effects, Addiction.

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