Association between Frequency of Energy Drink Intake and Insomnia Tendencies among High School Students in Japan

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the association between the frequency of energy drink intake and insomnia tendencies among Japanese high school students.

Methods: We recruited 826 students from a high school in Hokkaido, Japan, and conducted a survey from September to October 2020. The frequency of energy drink consumption was categorized into three groups: "no intake," "less than one bottle per week," and "one or more bottles per week." Insomnia was assessed using the Japanese version of the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS-J); a score of ≥6 indicated the presence or suspicion of insomnia. The prevalence of insomnia tendencies based on the frequency of energy drink consumption was analyzed using a multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 730 participants (401 males and 329 females) were included in the analysis.

Results: The percentages of suspected insomnia by frequency of energy drink intake were 38.2% for "no intake," 37.8% for "less than one bottle per week," and 53.2% for "one or more bottles per week." After adjusting for potential confounders, an association between the group drinking at least one bottle per week and the suspicion of insomnia was found; the adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval, p-value) was 2.15 (1.22~3.96, p = 0.033).

Conclusions: The study findings suggest that high school students who consume one energy drink per week are at a higher risk of insomnia. Further studies require a longitudinal design to examine causal relationships.