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Title: Caffeine Use among Active Duty Navy and Marine Corps Personnel

Journal Article · · Nutrients
DOI:https://doi.org/10.3390/nu8100620· OSTI ID:1628516
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [3]
  1. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA (United States);US Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States); Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Belcamp, MD (United States)
  2. Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, CA (United States)
  3. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA (United States)
  4. Army Public Health Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (United States)
  5. Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Natick, MA (United States); Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Belcamp, MD (United States)

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) indicate 89% of Americans regularly consume caffeine, but these data do not include military personnel. This cross-sectional study examined caffeine use in Navy and Marine Corps personnel, including prevalence, amount of daily consumption, and factors associated with use. A random sample of Navy and Marine Corps personnel was contacted and asked to complete a detailed questionnaire describing their use of caffeine-containing substances, in addition to their demographic, military, and lifestyle characteristics. A total of 1708 service members (SMs) completed the questionnaire. Overall, 87% reported using caffeinated beverages ≥1 time/week, with caffeine users consuming a mean ± standard error of 226 ± 5 mg/day (242 ± 7 mg/day for men, 183 ± 8 mg/day for women). The most commonly consumed caffeinated beverages (% users) were coffee (65%), colas (54%), teas (40%), and energy drinks (28%). Multivariable logistic regression modeling indicated that characteristics independently associated with caffeine use (≥1 time/week) included older age, white race/ethnicity, higher alcohol consumption, and participating in less resistance training. Prevalence of caffeine use in these SMs was similar to that reported in civilian investigations, but daily consumption (mg/day) was higher.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; US Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (USARIEM); Army Public Health Center (APHC)
Grant/Contract Number:
SC0014664; N1335
OSTI ID:
1628516
Journal Information:
Nutrients, Vol. 8, Issue 10; ISSN 2072-6643
Publisher:
MDPICopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (3)

Caffeine and energy drink use by combat arms soldiers in Afghanistan as a countermeasure for sleep loss and high operational demands journal March 2018
Alcohol mixed with energy drink (AMED): A critical review and meta-analysis journal February 2018
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Effects of Caffeine in Fatigued Shift Workers: Implications for Emergency Medical Services Personnel journal January 2018