Abstract

CAFFEINE EFFECT ON PHYSICAL AND MENTALHEALTH OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

Aditya Pant* and Rishi Maheshwari

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Abstract

In Western Population, the caffeine intake of young adults has received significant attention in the research literature; our knowledge in other societies remained limited. The objective of this research is to quantify the amount of ingested caffeine and how this is related to measures of physical and mental health in college students of Indian subcontinent. A semi- quantitative food frequency questionnaire was used to estimate caffeine intake from coffee, tea, coke, energy drinks, chocolates. Associations between caffeine intake, demographic variables and 7 symptoms measured using the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist-25 were examined. A convenience sample of university students in India (n = 250) was surveyed. Caffeine, in any form, was consumed by 90% of students. Mean daily caffeine consumption was 108 mg/day, with males consuming more than females. Coffee was the main source of caffeine intake, followed by tea and chocolates. Participants consuming 100 mg/day or more showed a statistically and significant positive effects on the physical factors. The prevalence of caffeine intake among university students in India is low. The overall mean intake of caffeine from all sources by university students was within levels considered to be acceptable by many dietary recommendations.

Keywords: Caffeine, University, India, Diseases, Variables, Performance, Demographic, Participants.