IntroductionWe conducted a qualitative study to gather information on adolescent views of how a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) would affect adolescents’ consumption of SSBs. The role of habit in consumption of SSBs was also explored.MethodsWe held 3 focus groups with students from various racial/ethnic groups (N = 22) in grades 6 through 8 at a Michigan middle school. Data on demographic characteristics and beverage consumption were collected. Focus group discussions, guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior, explored adolescent views of a 20% tax on SSBs and the tax’s effect on adolescents’ consumption of these beverages. Focus groups were recorded and recordings transcribed verbatim. Data were coded and analyzed using NVivo software.ResultsStudents understood the short- and long-term advantages and disadvantages of drinking SSBs. They understood that the opinions of those around them about SSBs might be affected by personal consumption. Students also understood the personal and economic effects of a 20% tax on SSBs, although the economics of a tax confused some. Students indicated that habit and environment could make reducing consumption of SSBs difficult, but they also gave suggestions, using habit and environment, to reduce consumption. Most students reported that they would decrease their consumption of SSBs if a 20% tax were implemented.ConclusionTaxes on SSBs could be used, with other strategies, to reduce adolescents’ high level of SSB consumption.
Their second concern is linking individual cytokine to specific symptoms, in this case olfactory loss, rather than attributing olfactory loss to a combination of inflammatory, anatomical, or intrinsic factors of the airway. We agree that olfactory loss in CRS is multifactorial in nature and hope that concept is self-evident to readers. The purpose of this study was to determine feasibility and utility of measuring inflammatory mediators in olfactory cleft mucous samples. Data from this study suggest that it is feasible and associations do exist between certain cytokines and olfaction. As mentioned, these data do not "allow for definitive conclusions to be drawn regarding causality" but suggests that "further study is necessary to confirm these findings, investigate causality, and determine whether these measures are of discriminatory or prognostic value." We hope that this pilot investigation leads to further work in this area.
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