Taste Preference for Sweetness in Urban and Rural Populations in Iraq

Abstract

The consumption of sweetened foods is influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. On an individual level, taste preference for sweetness has been shown to have an influence on food consumption, although this may be affected by social and environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess the taste preference for sweetness in urban and rural populations in Iraq. The hypothesis was that sweet preference and the consumption of sugar increase with urbanization. The sample was composed of 4152 individuals who were divided into urban and rural subgroups based on their place of residence. Sweet preference was assessed by means of a tested Sweet Preference Inventory. Results revealed statistically significant differences between urban and rural populations in preference for sweetness and in actual sugar consumption. Individuals from urban locations showed a much higher preference for sweetness than their rural counterparts and consumed more sugar. Within the urban population, those individuals who had lived in the city longer and who were from families with lower educational qualifications preferred the highest levels of sugar. The findings support the hypothesis that urbanization influences sweet preference and sugar consumption.

Association between preference for sweet foods and dental caries

“…In this study, the solution with the highest concentration of sugar (E) was the one preferred by the majority of the volunteers, irrespective of gender, a result differing from the findings of Honkala et al 17 and Nilsson & Holm 18 . The taste pattern of preference for sweeter solutions, and consequently, higher sugar consumption has been related in the literature to higher levels of caries 10,19 . However, in this study, this association could not be observed.…”

“…The consumption of sweetened foods is influenced by a variety of biological, psychological, social and environmental factors. It has been suggested that there is a preference for sweets in populations with worse socioeconomic conditions 10 . Knowing the cariogenic power of fermentable carbohydrates, especially sugar, it makes it necessary to know the dietary habits of the population, in order to develop public policies, adopt efficient preventive methods, in addition to encouraging changes towards developing healthier habits 11 .…”

Cárie precoce: influência de variáveis sócio-comportamentais e do locus de controle da saúde em um grupo de crianças de Araraquara, São Paulo, Brasil

“…Merece destaque a afirmação de Jamel et al 46 sobre o fato de a preferência pelo açúcar ser altamente influenciada pela maior exposição e disponibilidade desse produto associada à urbanização. Além disso, hábitos adquiridos na infância influenciam fortemente o padrão alimentar durante os anos subseqüentes, podendo tornar-se permanentes 47,48 .…”

Preferências por alimentos doces e cárie dentária em pré-escolares

“…Um padrão gustativo de preferência para soluções mais adoçadas e conseqüente maior consumo de açú-car tem sido relacionado a níveis mais altos de cárie 6 . Porém, a associação entre a ausência de cárie e a preferência por açúcar não foi observada no presente estudo (Tabela 6).…”

“…Pelo contrário, a preferência por açú-car é altamente influenciada pela exposição aumentada e maior disponibilidade de açúcar associada à urbanização 6 . Isto tem importantes implicações para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas com o objetivo de promover uma alimentação mais saudável…”