“Sports-nergy!!!” : awarenesses and perceptions of college athletes on the effects of sports and energy drinks

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health literacy of university athletes in Hong Kong towards sports & energy drinks. In addition, to identify variations in knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health literacy with respect to athlete characteristics. Methods: An online survey was conducted among a convenience sample of athletes in sports teams of the University of Hong Kong. Demographic information was collected and the knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health literacy was assessed. Variations in knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health literacy with respect to age group, gender and sport type were determined in bivariate analyses. Results: Among the 147 questionnaires returned, 97.3% (143/ 147) were completed in full. The majority (55.1%, 81) reported consuming sports & energy drinks ‘regularly’; with more than two-thirds (69.2%, 56/81) reporting consuming two or more types of sports & energy drinks ‘regularly’. Attitudes to the effectiveness of energy and sports drinks varied but were generally favourable, with a mean score of 19.1 (SD 3.4) and a median score of 19.0 (IQR 18.0, 21.0) out of 30. Most perceived that the drinks enhanced their energy level (60.5%, 89). Attitudes to the ill-health effects of energy and sports drinks varied but were poor overall, with a mean score of 24.7 (SD 4.9) and a median score of 24.0 (IQR 22.0, 28.0) out of 40. In particular, only around half of the respondents were aware that sports and energy drinks could lead to dental caries (55.7%, 82) and tooth erosion (52.4%, 77). Health literacy was poor, and approximately 1-in-4 (25.9%, 38) reported that they never read the nutrition labels before purchasing sports and energy drinks. The mean health literacy score was 1.6 (SD 1.2) with a median score of 1.0 (IQR 1.0, 2.0) out of a possible socre of 6, and no person could correctly interpret all health features of the sports & energy drink label. Younger athletes (aged ≤20) reported using the drinks more and were less aware of their ill-health effects . Gender variations were also noted, with female athletes having a less favourable attitude than male athletes (i.e., more aware of their ill-health effects. Conclusions: Consumption of sports and energy drinks is common among university athletes in Hong Kong. Most athletes hold a favourable attitude toward the effectiveness of the drinks, but were not aware of the ill health effects, such as detrimental dental effects. Health literacy in relation to sports and energy drinks is very poor. Variations in knowledge, attitudes, behaviour and health literacy with respect to age group, gender and sport type were also noted. Female and older athletes tend to be more aware of the ill-health effects of sports and energy drinks than males and younger athletes.