| Frequent energy drink consumption and associated
factors among Japanese adolescents |
Tomomi Miyoshi1 
, Yuichiro Otsuka1
, Yuki Tanaka1
, Suguru Nakajima2
, Yoshitaka Kaneita1
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1Division of Public Health, Department of Social Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
2Department of Psychiatry, Division of Psychiatry, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan |
Correspondence:
Yuichiro Otsuka, Email: otsuka.yuichiro@nihon-u.ac.jp
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Received: 22 May 2026 • Revised: 10 September 2026 • Accepted: 18 September 2026 |
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| Abstract |
Background
Frequent energy drink consumption among
adolescents is a public health concern; however, the associated
factors and detailed consumption patterns
among Japanese adolescents remain poorly characterized.
Purpose
We estimated the prevalence of frequent energy
drink consumption and examined its associated factors
and consumption patterns among Japanese high school
students.
Methods
We conducted this school-based cross-sectional
survey from April to June 2024 in 19 high schools
in western Japan (n=6,764). Frequent consumption was
defined as intake on ≥6 days during the past 30 days. In
this study, the term “energy drink consumption” referred
to the consumption of tonic drinks, energy drinks, or both.
Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine
the associations with beverage-related perceptions,
caffeine interest, advertising exposure, lifestyle habits,
gaming disorder, and depressive symptoms. Among
current consumers, defined as students reporting energy
drink consumption on ≥1 day during the past 30 days, we
analyzed age at first consumption, amount consumed per
occasion, and usual consumption timing. Sex-stratified
and sex-by-factor interaction analyses were exploratory.
Results
Overall, 79.3% of the students reported consuming
energy drinks at least once, and 11.5% reported
frequent consumption. In the primary model, frequent
consumption was associated with male sex; energy drinks
being perceived as making one feel energetic or relaxed;
less frequent breakfast consumption; exercising ≥5 days/
wk; supplement use; and presence of a gaming disorder.
Perceiving energy drinks as unhealthy was inversely associated
with frequent consumption. Exploratory interaction
analyses suggested possible sex-related heterogeneity
in the associations with caffeine interest and
breakfast consumption and, among current consumers,
consumption timing. Among current consumers, higher
per-occasion intake and consumption upon waking or in
the morning were associated with frequent consumption.
Conclusion
Among Japanese high school students,
79.3% had consumed energy drinks at least once, and
11.5% reported frequent consumption (≥6 days during
the past 30 days). Frequent consumption was associated
with beverage-related perceptions, lifestyle habits, and
gaming disorder. Among current consumers, a higher peroccasion
intake and consumption upon waking or in the
morning were also associated with frequent consumption.
These findings identified factors and consumption patterns
that warrant attention in pediatric public health and
school-based health education; however, their causal and
clinical implications require confirmation. |
| Key Words:
Adolescent, Energy drinks, Caffeine, Internet
addiction disorder, Japan |
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