Health Implications Of Young People Drinking Coffee
Coffee is an age-old beverage that many adults rely on to keep them going through the day. While coffee has numerous health benefits for adults drinking it in moderation, there has not been much research into the health implications that coffee might have for children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends no coffee consumption for children under the age of 12. Caffeine is a stimulant and its effects on a young body’s neurophysiological development and hormonal balance is largely unknown. It is likely to have long-term effects on the child’s physical and mental wellbeing; however, there just has not been enough research to show exactly how children would be impacted if they consumed coffee.
Medical experts warn that, as adults, increasing coffee consumption can lead to habits of dependency, disrupting normal sleep patterns, and having a potentially negative impact on people’s health. It is logical to assume that a 12 year old would have an even greater risk of developing such unhealthy habits and becoming dependent on coffee for energy.
Talking to children about why adults feel the need to drink coffee, the situation might be different from what the child thinks. Rather than adults needing energy because they are just naturally more active and busy, many are drinking coffee because they have not developed healthy habits.
Adults have to learn to have regular breaks away from their computers, set healthy eating habits, as well as to decide what time is best for sleep and wakefulness. A child should follow the same principles, but with the addition of much more sleep and a diet full of healthy foods.
The most likely reason why the child wants to consume coffee is to ‘fit in’ with what they perceive adults to be doing. This gives an opportunity to them to talk about responsibilities and expectations between children and adults and the need to still maintain resilience and healthy habits in order to manage the daily stress and responsibilities.
Physical Development and Dietary Considerations
Babies and young children should have a balanced diet with a range of minerals and vitamins. With years of development, their digestive systems are not geared for large amounts of caffeine which can lead to unwanted side effects like irritability, more frequent bowl movements, difficulty sleeping and ‘crasher’ energy which can quickly lead to exhaustion.
At around 12, children have enough physical development to understand and appreciate moderation when it comes to food and beverage habits, however it also becomes harder for parents to control and to monitor both the physical and emotional wellbeing of the child. Parents should focus on giving their children healthy fast food alternatives, fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as home-made meals.
The idea of the little one enjoying a ‘latte’ with their parents might sound like a nice and cozy idea, but the natural amount of caffeine in regular cow’s milk and other foods in a child’s diet, is usually enough and should be enough for that age.
Research shows that youngsters might experience tooth discoloration, mouth dryness and heightened sensitivity to acids. Furthermore, too much caffeine, found in chocolate and energy drinks, can cause anxiety, headaches, palpitations and stomach problems.
It is important for parents to be able to recognize these symptoms and further explain to their children that their physical and mental wellbeing is affected by their diet and lifestyle.
Mental Wellbeing Of Pre Teens
At around age 12, a child’s mindset is focused on risk-taking and exploration, which in this case should never, of course, be encouraged. ‘Kidult’ trends, like pairing their favorite drink with a biscuit and taking a break in a cafe atmosphere, that is more often seen as an adult’s lifestyle, might also be an attractive idea for a 12 year old, who already has an idea that this is ‘grown-up’ behavior.
This behavior might be seen by an adult as a small sign of ‘independence’, but studies have shown that children at this age, who struggle with mental health issues, are more prone to the peer pressure that encourages them to ‘act grown-up’ and try activities like drinking coffee.
Pre teens should be encouraged to take up other activities that do not involve anything related to substances, like baking, woodworking, gardening or anything that they enjoy, to fill their leisure time. Additionally, parents will also need to educate their children by setting a good example and being part of the conversation on how to develop healthy lifestyle habits that will last into adulthood.
Addictive Behaviors in Young People
As with all things, moderation is key. Some medical reports suggest that mild consumption of coffee is unlikely to be harmful to 12 year olds, if regulated meaning one cup or two a day or two pour over coffees per week. The real danger is when children start to assume drinking coffee is ‘okay’ and it eventually develops into a habit.
Experts suggest that signs of addiction-like behaviors in children will manifest with increased anxiety, nausea, sleeplessness, and difficulty concentrating. When children consume coffee and energy drinks before, during and after school, their little bodies pay a heavy price and although the increase in cognitive performance can be at the advantage of the children in the short-term, its long-term implications are unknown.
Parents can help their children understand the importance of moderation, and an early age is the best time to make sure that these behaviors do not become drinking habits when they reach adulthood. All this will also depend on how much education and guidance they receive while they are in the care of their parents.
Educational Implications Of Coffee
Educators are concerned that children who drink coffee might suffer from attention-span issues in the classroom and during tests and long exams. In secondary schools where students are studying increasingly difficult topics, they need all their mental capacities to stay focused, and drinking coffee might boost their energy temporarily but in the long-term it will led to burnout and physical fatigue.
While there are short-term benefits of drinking coffee for twelve year olds, like increased focus and concentration, these benefits will only last for a short time and should not be taken as a long-term solution for educational pressures.
Educators suggest that apart from learning disciplined and healthy eating habits, children at this age must also be taught to use the resources around them. This includes libraries, books and other sources of information, and eventually ending up developing the child’s ability to understand long-term topics and concepts that require a lot of focus.
However, if we look at the statistics, the large concentration of coffee chains and cafes around schools and universities is a clear sign that adolescent academic stress and a lack of focus are growing concerns. Having coffee consumption as part of educational pressure is becoming normalized which gives us an opportunity to talk to our children about the long-term implications of early caffeine consumption. once children leave school and enter the working world, they must be able to work on the same level of performance, without the use of substances.
Caffeine’s Effects On Physical Growth
Children who regularly drink coffee tend to experience changes in their physical development as well. Many of the studies conducted on the effects of caffeine consumption don’t take into consideration that young children have different needs from adults, and the resulting health effects differ from those experienced by young people.
Excessive caffeine consumption can affect the balance of the body’s hormones and can have an adverse effect on physical growth. Additionally, many of the coffee drinks on the market have high sugar content, so a combination of sugar and caffeine can lead to further health complications.
Parents must also be aware of the fact that caffeine affects every child differently and that some children might react more visibly than others. Different levels of sensitivity need to be taken into consideration when it comes to exposing children to coffee, especially at such a young age.
All of this being said, there is a need for additional research to figure out what parents and health professionals should advise children about coffee consumption, otherwise we cannot make any concrete decisions about the effects of coffee on a 12 year old’s health.
High Caffeine Levels in Other Beverages
It is what we don’t see that could affect us the most.Although coffee is the first beverage that comes to mind when talking about high levels of caffeine consumption, it is important to remember that other caffeinated drinks like energy drinks, sodas and teas also have significantly higher levels of caffeine compared to coffee.
It is important to note that even one can of an energy drink contains an entire day’s worth of safe daily caffeine consumption for an adolescent. This means that for a 12 year old, one cup of coffee or one can of energy drink might have similar outcomes in terms of caffeine consumption.
It is also important for parents to keep in mind that many energy drinks and sodas contain more sugar than coffee, and this could be an even bigger concern for their children’s health, as excess sugar consumption has been associated with an increased risk of obesity, diabetes and other illnesses in children.
It is up to parents to be aware and to educate their children about the correct caffeine levels and what is the healthy level of consumption. This should include further conversations on different caffeinated beverages, their recommended amounts of consumption and the long-term effects of excessive caffeine on physical and mental wellbeing.
Suggestions On How To Break The Habit
Even though there is a need for further research on the effects of caffeine on 12 year olds, it is clear that parents must become aware and understand the problem of excessive caffeine consumption. Parents should set an example and take responsibility for leading the sustainable lifestyle that they want their children to follow by becoming role models and joining in the conversations about healthy eating and drinking habits.
Discussing and understanding why young children are attracted to caffeine, is important for parents to break the addiction and ensure that their children are engaging in healthy dietary habits. Additionally, parents should also look for alternative activities that will interest their children and fill their leisure time, and focus on developing a diet that does not include any caffeinated products.
Ultimately, it is important to understand that caffeine affects all children differently, so it is up to parents to find out what the correct levels of caffeine are and to help their children find activities and behaviors that will protect their physical and mental wellbeing in the long-term.
