Children seem to be consuming caffeine at a younger age and more frequently than ever before. I have observed middle school students beginning their day with a cup of coffee, a caffeinated soft drink, or a large "special" coffee drink and elementary school kids regularly drinking caffeine filled energy drinks. Some kids also skip meals only to include a "special" energy, coffee, or soft drink to get them through the day when they should be getting energy from real food, not caffeine and sugar.