The awareness level and needs for education on reducing sugar consumption among mothers with preschool children

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to find out the level of knowledge on sugar-related nutrition among mothers with preschool children.SUBJECTS/METHODSThe study conducted a survey on 350 mothers whose children attended daycare. The dietary lives of the children and the nutritional knowledge of the mothers on sugar were checked. In order to analyze results, SPSS 18.0 was used. ANOVA and t-test were also performed to analyze recognition and educational needs.RESULTSWhen the degree of nutritional knowledge was measured and analyzed, the results showed about 11 average points out of 15. The higher a group's nutritional knowledge, the better the dietary habits and activities were and the activities were more ccommon. The group with a low level of nutritional knowledge consumed more foods with high sugar content, but this difference was not statistically significant. Also the children from the group of mothers that provided nutritional education to their children were more likely to engage in better dietary habits and activities.CONCLUSIONS66.5% respondents did not know about policies to reduce sugar consumption, but most indicated that education on reducing sugar consumption is needed. Therefore, a government-driven search for efficient methods to campaign and publicize sugar reduction is needed in order to continuously provide appropriate education.

Associations between Child and Parent Knowledge of Added Sugar Recommendations and Added Sugar Intake in Multiethnic Elementary-Aged Children

“…Some studies examining parent nutrition knowledge found significant associations with decreased sugar-sweetened beverages ( 20 ) and cholesterol ( 19 ) intake as well as increased vegetable ( 20 , 22 ) and fiber intake ( 19 ) in children. Other studies failed to show a significant relation between parent nutrition knowledge and child dietary intake ( 19 , 20 , 36 ). A study examining mothers who used daycares found that maternal nutrition knowledge was not associated with child consumption of high-sugar foods ( 36 ).…”

“…Other studies failed to show a significant relation between parent nutrition knowledge and child dietary intake ( 19 , 20 , 36 ). A study examining mothers who used daycares found that maternal nutrition knowledge was not associated with child consumption of high-sugar foods ( 36 ). Additional studies failed to show an association between parent knowledge and sweet consumption ( 20 ) and micronutrient intake ( 19 , 20 ) in children.…”

Food Involvement, Eating Restrictions and Dietary Patterns in Polish Adults: Expected Effects of Their Relationships (LifeStyle Study)

“…Because the awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle is increasing, breads containing whole grain, multi-grain, or functional components, such as fiber, attract attention of some consumers [34,35]. The higher health awareness of these people can explain their practices related to limiting sugar and/or sweets [36] and meat [37]. Restrictions regarding starchy foods in people from the upper tertile of 'Wholemeal foods' DP may result from using substitution of products originating from the refined flour (white bread, some cereals).…”

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.…”