RE: Creating policy regarding caffeine restrictions and banning energy drink sales in public schools K-12.
Situation: Highly caffeinated beverages are sold in public schools that pose known health risks to children and adolescents. Students have presented to our Health Office with headaches, fatigue, heart palpitations, nausea, and agitation after reported consumption of these products. Despite our best efforts to educate and discuss with members of our school, we have been prohibited from providing transparent information and education to our students and parents. Furthermore, our requests for caffeine restrictions and a ban on the sale of energy drinks in schools was rejected.
Background: Caffeine is a stimulant that can cause serious adverse effects, withdrawal, and overdose when consumed in excess. Children and adolescents are especially susceptible given their smaller size and active state of brain development. Caffeine is found in exceptionally large amounts in beverages called energy drinks, which also contain added sugars, other additives, and legal stimulants that can have harmful effects on the nervous system. These effects include: dehydration, heart complications, anxiety, insomnia, seizures, and gastrointestinal issues. Other concerns include interactions with medications (ADHD and psychiatric medications), as well as impacting health conditions like diabetes, depression, anxiety, seizures, migraines, and cardiac issues. Some of these beverages are also marketed for “metabolism boosting” effects lending to concerns surrounding disordered eating. The American Academy of Pediatrics states “that caffeine and other stimulants in energy drinks have no place children's and adolescents' diets,” yet 75% of school districts do not have policy about these types of highly caffeinated drinks for sale at schools. Please see the resources below:
Assessment: The energy drinks Accelerator, Alani, UpTime, C4, Red Bull, Celsius are sold at our school. Manufacturer warning labels read “not recommended for children”, “recommended for adults only”, and “those with a medical condition and those taking medication should consult a healthcare professional before use.” In regards to what age range these products are intended for, energy drink manufacturers reference the Convention on the Rights of the Child, an international treaty that states a child to be “every human being below the age of eighteen years.”
Recommendations:
- Caffeine restrictions and a ban on energy drinks sales in public schools K-12.
- Further research on the effects of caffeine on children and adolescents.
- Larger discussions amongst policy makers, parents, school districts, and healthcare professionals.
Casey Bly, M. Ed, BSN, RN NCSN, CPN and Nicole Crowley, RN, BSN