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A Method for Manipulating Blood Glucose and Measuring Resulting Changes in Cognitive Accessibility of Target Stimuli
Published on: August 12, 2016
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A qualitative study about college students' attitudes, knowledge and perceptions regarding sugar intake.
Marília Prada1, Cristina A Godinho2, Margarida V Garrido1
1Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa, CIS-Iscte, Lisboa, Portugal.
Appetite
|December 3, 2020
Summary
Young adults struggle to meet sugar intake guidelines due to confusion and ambivalent attitudes. Environmental factors and perceived low personal risk hinder sugar reduction efforts among college students.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition Science
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Excessive sugar consumption is linked to non-communicable diseases.
- Health guidelines for daily free or added sugar intake exist but are often unmet.
- Young adults, including adolescents, frequently exceed recommended sugar intake levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate college students' knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding sugar intake and guidelines.
- To identify barriers and facilitators for reducing sugar consumption in a university population.
Main Methods:
- Thematic analysis of data from five focus groups.
- Involved 40 university students.
Main Results:
- Participants found sugar definitions and recommendations difficult to understand.
- Attitudes towards sugar were mixed: perceived as pleasurable yet harmful and addictive.
- Students often underestimated personal risk, citing youth and exercise, with body image being a key concern.
- Environmental factors like time and university food options were major barriers to reducing sugar intake.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge gaps and biased perceptions regarding sugar intake exist among university students.
- Interventions should address comprehension issues, ambivalent attitudes, and environmental barriers.
- Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to lower sugar consumption in young adults.
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