Marketing to the young

Yet another issue raised by doctors and researchers is the marketing of energy drinks to young people, particularly through sponsorships of athletes and extreme sports. New York's Major League Soccer team is the Red Bulls, owned by the drink company. NASCAR driver Kyle Busch endorses the drink NOS, and Monster has a stable of lesser-known athletes, bands and celebrities. A parent of two teenagers, Chang was at her daughter's club soccer tournament in Palo Alto, Calif., last spring when she saw energy drink samples being distributed. Tuttle, co-author of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings article, has seen the drinks at events for even younger children. The American Beverage Association advises its members not to sell their products in K-12 schools, not to market to children younger than 12 and to voluntarily list the amount of caffeine from all sources and include a label advising that the drinks are not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women or people sensitive to caffeine. Red Bull said its policy is not to sample its products to children under 15. UGG Kensington Boots Older athletes, particularly in professional and college sports, typically have more access to information about energy drinks or supplements through trainers, strength and conditioning coaches and team doctors. In addition, the National Center for Drug Free Sport offers a subscription-based Internet service available to athletes affiliated with organizations including the NCAA, NFL, Major League Baseball and USA Track and Field that allows athletes to receive reports on products and their ingredients, including whether they contain banned substances. Another group, NSF International, an independent non-profit, conducts product testing for a "Certified for Sport" designation. John Travis, a research scientist in NSF's chemistry laboratory, said NSF checks for banned substances and accurate labeling, and it will not certify any product that contains more than 150 milligrams of caffeine per serving.