Patterns of Energy Drink Consumption among University Students in Lahore, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study

Bakhtawar Majeed; Muniba Khaliq; Fatima Nawaz; Tahreem Fatima; Tooba Naeem; Azmat Ullah Khan Baloch; Rabiatul Adawiyah Binti Umar; Che Suhaili binti Che Taha; Faheem Mustafa

doi:10.25182/jgp.2026.21.2.99-108

Bakhtawar Majeed ⁽¹⁾ , Muniba Khaliq ⁽¹⁾ , Fatima Nawaz ⁽¹⁾ , Tahreem Fatima ⁽¹⁾ , Tooba Naeem ⁽¹⁾ , Azmat Ullah Khan Baloch ⁽¹⁾ , Rabiatul Adawiyah Binti Umar ⁽²⁾ , Che Suhaili binti Che Taha ⁽²⁾ , Faheem Mustafa ⁽³⁾

(1) Department of Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore 54000, Pakistan, Pakistan,

(2) Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia, Malaysia,

(3) Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia; School of Health Sciences, University of Management and Technology, Lahore 54770, Pakistan, Malaysia

https://doi.org/10.25182/jgp.2026.21.2.99-108

Issue
Vol. 21 No. 2 (2026)

Submitted
October 3, 2025

Accepted
March 11, 2026

Published
July 30, 2026

Keywords:

addiction, caffeine, energy drink, side effects, university students

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of Energy Drinks (EDs) use among university students in Lahore, Pakistan. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 students (mean age: 20.6 years) who completed an anonymous questionnaire administered by the research team within their universities. Descriptive statistics revealed a high prevalence of EDs use, with 47.5% of participants reporting consumption. Chi-Square analysis showed significant associations between EDs use and several factors. Specifically, males were more likely to be EDs consumers than females (p<0.001), and consumed them more frequently (p=0.008). Additionally, ED use was significantly higher among students involved in sports or physical activities (p=0.042) and among smokers compared to non-smokers (p=0.001). In conclusion, this study highlights the high prevalence of EDs consumption among university students in Lahore and underscores the need for public health campaigns to raise awareness about the potential health risks associated with these beverages. However, self-reported data may have introduced bias, highlighting the need for further research.

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