The Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) has labelled sports drinks and energy drinks as “potential risks for the health of children.”

In a position statement released on 26 September 2017, CPS stated that, “Sports drinks and caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) are commonly consumed by youth. Both sports drinks and CEDs pose potential risks for the health of children and adolescents and may contribute to obesity.

Sports drinks are generally unnecessary for children engaged in routine or play-based physical activity. CEDs may affect children and adolescents more than adults because they weigh less and thus experience greater exposure to stimulant ingredients per kilogram of body weight.

Paediatricians need to recognize and educate patients and families on the differences between sport drinks and CEDs. Screening for the consumption of CEDs, especially when mixed with alcohol, should be done routinely. The combination of CEDs and alcohol may be a marker for higher risk of substance use or abuse and for other health-compromising behaviours.”

CPS also stressed that children and parents should be educated about the difference between carbonated energy drinks and sports drinks, and should be advised that neither was an appropriate replacement in terms of hydration for water.

According to the statement, drinking carbonated energy drinks on a regular basis could cause children with cardiovascular, renal and liver diseases, diabetes, seizures, mood and behavioural disorders and hyperthyroidism, to be at higher risk for adverse events from energy drink consumption.

One Ontario survey of over 20,000 grades 9 to 12 students showed that almost one in five reported consuming CEDs in a typical week, while 17% of respondents had mixed CEDs with alcohol within the previous 12 months.

The Canadian Beverage Association (CBA) has defended the industry’s record on advertising sports drinks and energy drinks to children. It said that there were adequate safeguards in place to protect consumers against misleading or inappropriate advertising – including children.

The CBA statement read: “The CBA and its members have committed to stringent marketing standards that prevent the marketing of beverages targeted to children under the age of 12 other than 100% juice, milk and water.”

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