Relationship Between Nutritional Knowledge and the Amount of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumed in Los Angeles County

Abstract

Although consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with many negative health outcomes, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, the relationship between consumer nutritional knowledge and the amount consumed is poorly understood. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between knowledge of daily calorie recommendations and the amount of SSBs consumed in a large, economically and racially diverse sample of adults recruited at selected Metro subway and bus shelters in Los Angeles County. In June 2012, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health conducted street intercept surveys to assess food attitudes and consumption behaviors and public opinions related to a recent 8-week health marketing campaign targeting SSB consumption. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted, including a negative binomial regression model, to examine the relationship between knowledge of the daily calorie recommendations and the amount of SSBs consumed. Among survey respondents (n = 1,041), less than one third correctly identified the daily calorie recommendations for a typical adult. After controlling for sociodemographics and weight status, respondents who correctly identified recommended calorie needs reported, on average, drinking nine fewer SSBs per month than respondents who did not. Results suggest that efforts to reduce SSB consumption might benefit from the inclusion of educational interventions that empower consumers to make healthy choices.

“When we were young, it really was a treat; now sugar is just the norm every day”—A qualitative study of parents’ and young adults’ perceptions and consumption of sugary drinks

“…There was also an awareness that “excess” consumption increased health risks but there was little understanding of what constituted excess consumption, superficial understanding of documented health risks, and a perception among young adults in particular that health effects were neither proximal nor relevant. These findings are consistent with quantitative studies conducted in Australia and the US which indicate regular consumption of SSBs, but low awareness of health risks and sugar content …”

Determinants of knowledge and attitudes about sugar and the association of knowledge and attitudes with sugar intake among adults: A systematic review

“…Six cross-sectional studies (Fadupin, Ogunkunle, & Gabriel, 2014;Gase, Robles, Barragan, & Kuo, 2014;Huffman & West, 2007;Lee & Joo, 2016;Park, Onufrak, Sherry, & Blanck, 2014;Zytnick, 2015) and one case-study (Nelson & Hekmat, 1991) investigated the association between knowledge about sugar and sugar intake. Three of these cross-sectional studies (Gase et al, 2014;Lee & Joo, 2016;Park et al, 2014) reported an association between increasing knowledge about sugar and reduced consumption of food and beverages with sugar. These findings were consistent across studies conducted in two different countries (Korea and US), with varying sample sizes (n=250, 1041 and 3926) and using different data collection tools.…”

Parents’ considerable underestimation of sugar and their child’s risk of overweight

“…Adequate nutrition knowledge is one building block for making healthy dietary decisions [7]. For example, providing caloric information on sugar-sweetened beverages has led to attitude changes [8] and reduced purchases [9].…”