Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #106386

Nelson Atehortua, MD, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1546 State St. Apt 16, Bowling Green, KY 42101, 270-303-3857, nelson.atehortua@wku.edu

Caffeine has a stimulant effect and has been shown to improve concentration. In excess, however, caffeine can lead to psychological and physical impairment. Among college students, excessive caffeine consumption is often used to mask, manage, or minimize stressful situations and depression symptoms, alone and with other addictive substances such as nicotine or alcohol. An exploratory study was conducted to determine levels of caffeine consumption and negative symptoms of caffeine use among students at Western Kentucky University. A self-administered survey was administered to a convenience sample of 62 college students. Caffeine intakes in terms of mg/day were computed from their responses.

Results showed that caffeine consumption averaged 1,263 mg/day, 5.6 times the national average. Only one third of respondents believed that caffeine is associated with negative health outcomes. Few respondents (17%) reported physical symptoms associated with excessive caffeine or caffeine withdraws (32%). Data will be discussed descriptively and in terms of statistical associations.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the risk of excessive caffeine consumption among college students;
• state symptomatology and health outcomes of excessive caffeine consumption; and,
• brainstorm strategies for interventions

Keywords: Substance Abuse, Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.