Trend in caffeine intake and food and beverage sources of caffeine in U.S. children over the last decade: analysis of What We Eat In America/National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001‐2010 (806.17)

WWEIA data and the food groupings within were used to assess caffeine intake and food and beverages sources of caffeine in the diets of children and adolescents 6‐18 years of age (N=13,131) over the last decade. Regression analyses were conducted to determine a p‐for‐trend across the NHANES data releases (2001‐2002, 2003‐2004, 2005‐2006, 2007‐2008, and 2009‐2010). For the total population, total caffeine intake remained stable across the five NHANES releases (beta coefficient: ‐0.5 mg/release; p= 0.6191). Major contributors of caffeine (mean ± SE, mg/d) in the diet across the decade were regular soda (42±2); tea (10±1), coffee (6±1), diet soda (2±0.3), and energy drinks (1±0.3). There was a significant p‐for‐trend of ‐3 mg/release for regular sodas (p<0.0001) and 1.1 mg/release for coffee (p<0.01). Energy drinks increased 0.3 mg/release (p<0.05), but their contribution was only 1 mg/d. Among caffeine consumers (N=9,400), total caffeine intake remained stable across the five NHANES releases (beta coefficient: ‐0.2 mg/release; p= 0.8581). Also among caffeine consumers, caffeine contributed by each beverage category evaluated remained stable across the decade. For the total population, total caffeine intake has remained stable among children over the decade with a decrease in contribution from soft drinks and a slight increase from coffee. Grant Funding Source : American Beverage Association