Students at Braeview Academy have launched a project to discourage fellow pupils from consuming highly caffeinated energy drinks.
A group of third years currently taking part in the Champions in Scotland programme, which matches young people with athlete role models, have created a campaign highlighting the negative health impacts of such drinks.
They now plan to promote their findings in a community-wide campaign.
Dundee-born Commonwealth athlete Vikki Bunce was partnered with the school for the project, and has helped guide the group throughout.
The hockey player said energy drinks were abundant in schools she had worked in right across the country, and she regularly saw young people consuming several cans at a time.
She said: “It is certainly something I’ve seen in many different schools.
“We would normally only say you should drink them when you’re competing or training at a very high level – and even then, there are better alternatives to properly rehydrate yourself.
“Sometimes you see people having them for breakfast – it’s just not healthy.
“It is important that young people know what is in these drinks.”
Vikki talked about her experience of competing at a national and international level to the students in a series of inspirational talks, encouraging the group to tackle the issue head on.
Carly Healey, 14, said she had been surprised by the results of their research.
“I don’t drink Red Bull or anything like that now we’ve seen what’s in it all,” she said.
“There’s a lot of sugar and caffeine in them and we want to let people know about that.
“We have made posters showing it all and we’re putting stuff up on the school and PE department Twitter account.
“We also really want to do presentations in the school to different groups.
“The talks were really good and we’ve enjoyed doing it all.”
Head of physical education at Braeview Academy, Kenny Clarkson, said he had been pleased with how the project had gone.
He said: “It has been an interesting research project for the students, and we are keen to share the message in the school and the wider community.”
The project is part of Champions in Scotland, a nationwide role model programme run by the Winning Scotland Foundation, which pairs elite athletes with small class groups who then take on a project.
