Caffeine, sleep duration and adolescents’ perception of health related quality of life

Abstract

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to understand the impact of caffeine on adolescents’ health and health related behaviours, namely sleep duration and health related quality of life. Methods: Students in the 6th, 8th and 10th grades were chosen randomly from clusters of schools for this study. A questionnaire designed to measure caffeine consumption, sleep quantity and quality and health related quality of life was used. ANOVAs were used for gender and grade and three multilinear regression models were conducted. Results: Coffee and soft drinks with caffeine have a negative impact in sleep duration. Both sleep duration and quality have a positive effect on health related quality of life. Although the use of energetic drinks with alcohol is low, it has a negative impact on the perception of health quality of life. Males have shown a better perception of health related quality of life and greater quantity and quality of sleep while females report more difficulties falling asleep and report more fatigue. Conclusions: Caffeine intake has a negative impact on sleep duration and perception of health related quality of life, although accounting for a relatively low variance.