Objective

To assess the pattern of energy drinks consumption in a sample of students from two public and two private schools of Bogotá.

Materials and Methods

Cross-sectional study in a population of 671 students aged 10 to 20 years. Anthropometric measurements and a food consumption frequency survey were analyzed through a self-applied questionnaire.

Results

80% had normal Body Mass Index (BMI), 12.4% were overweight and 3.6% were obese. No association between BMI and energy drinks consumption was observed (p=0.514). Energy drinks consumed by students is associated with physical activity (p=0.01) and alcohol intake (p=0.000).

Conclusions

The consumption of energy drinks is associated to physical exercise and alcohol intake. The findings show the importance of establishing educational campaigns to inform about the dangers of ingesting energy drinks and mixing them with ethyl alcohol.