Knowledge Deficits of Caffeine amongst Adolescents in Metropolitan Phoenix

Abstract

Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant found in natural and artificial products such as cocoa, tea, coffee, as well as energy drinks, energy shots, and additives with variable concentration levels consumed by roughly 73% of adolescents in the United States. Caffeine has several documented side effects such as increased alertness, improved focus, decreased fatigue, improved physical performance, insomnia, headache, anxiety, dehydration, abnormal heart rhythm, restlessness, physiological dependence, and death. Not much is known on what local Arizona adolescents comprehend on caffeine, its anticipated side effects, and caffeine-containing product identification. This DNP project’s primary purpose was to evaluate knowledge adolescents; aged 13-18 years have concerning common caffeine-containing beverage products. A pre-questionnaire (Appendix F), followed by an education session (Appendix G), and post-questionnaire (Appendix H) at a local Phoenix, Arizona healthcare clinic were utilized and evaluated. Results yielded a high percentage of adolescent awareness to purposeful caffeine consumption for the result of heightened alertness. Adolescents also displayed knowledge of common products such as coffee, energy drinks, and soda products to contain caffeine. There was a knowledge gap related to hydration products containing caffeine and misidentification on chocolate-flavored drinks to be without caffeine; however, this percentage decreased post-education information session, displaying that education on products is beneficial to heighten adolescent consumer awareness.