Energy Drinks Allegedly Increase Hyperactivity Risk in Children

Researchers with the Yale School of Public Health have published a study claiming that “middle-school children who consume heavily sweetened energy drinks are 66% more likely to be at risk for hyperactivity and inattention symptoms.” Deborah Schwartz, et al., “Energy Drinks and Youth Self-Reported Hyperactivity/Inattention Symptoms,” Academic Pediatrics, February 2015. The study relied on data from more than 1,500 middle-school students who completed the hyperactivity/inattention subscale of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and self-reported their sugar-sweetened beverage consumption during the preceding 24 hours.

In addition to concluding that the risk of hyperactivity/inattention increased with energy drink consumption, the study’s authors apparently found that the risk of hyperactivity/inattention “increased by 14% for each additional sweetened beverage consumed.” As one researcher elaborated in a February 9 press release, “Our results support the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation that parents should limit consumption of sweetened beverages and that children should not consume any energy drinks.”

Issue 555