A qualitative study about college students' attitudes, knowledge and perceptions regarding sugar intake.

A qualitative study about college students' attitudes, knowledge and perceptions regarding sugar intake. Appetite. 2020 Nov 30;:105059 Authors: Prada M, Godinho CA, Garrido MV, Rodrigues DL, Coelho I, Lopes D Abstract Excessive sugar intake has been associated to multiple health conditions (e.g., higher risk for non-communicable diseases). Hence, health organizations have issued guidelines defining the maximum daily intake of free or added sugars. However, data from several countries suggests that these guidelines are rarely met, particularly by young adults. For example, almost half of Portuguese adolescents and young adults exceed the recommended sugar intake. In this work, we aim to further explore college students' attitudes, knowledge and perceptions about sugar intake, as well as about sugar intake guidelines. A thematic analysis on data from five focus groups (N = 40) indicated that participants reported difficulty in the comprehension of added/free sugars definition and sugar intake recommendations. Overall, attitudes toward sugar were ambivalent. Sugar was simultaneously perceived as pleasurable and needed, but also as addictive and harmful. Although aware of the potential negative health outcomes associated to excessive sugar intake, most participants did not perceive being at risk due to their youth, exercise habits or type of diet. The few concerns expressed were mostly associated to the negative impact of high sugar inta...
Source: Appetite - Category: Nutrition Authors: Tags: Appetite Source Type: research