Exploring attitudes related to sweetened soft drinks consumption among adults in Saudi Arabia
ISSN: 0034-6659
Article publication date: 30 April 2018
Issue publication date: 14 May 2018
Abstract
Purpose
Soft drinks consumption in Saudi Arabia is high, although these drinks are nutritionally poor and might lead to various health problems. This paper aims to assess sweetened soft drinks consumption patterns among adult Saudis and explore the association between different attitudes and these patterns.
Design/methodology/approach
In total, 1,194 eligible Saudi adults answered an online questionnaire including soft drinks consumption patterns (frequency of consumption and quantity) and attitudes influencing them. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS. Pearson test was used to assess the association of attitudes with frequency of sweetened soft drinks consumption. A p-value of <0.05 was set as the significance cut-off.
Findings
Sixteen per cent of participants consumed sweetened soft drinks either daily or usually. Frequency and quantity of consumption were significantly and positively associated (R2 = 0.4, p < 0.0001). The highest correlations were obtained between frequency of consumption and positive attitudes towards perceiving sweetened soft drinks as enjoyable, value for money and indispensable at eating (R2 = 0.55; 0.43 and 0.6, respectively, p < 0.0001). Average score in different attitudes was significantly lower frequency of consumption “never” compared to “always” (p < 0.001) (Healthy: 1 vs 1.9, Enjoyable: 1.5 vs 4.4, value for money: 1.7 vs 3.9, indispensable at eating: 1.1 vs 4.0 and social gathering: 1.2 vs 3.8, respectively).
Research limitations/implications
Main limitation of this study relates to the sampling technique through a snowballing, which could influence on the representativeness of the study population.
Originality/value
Findings advance the understanding on the high consumption of sweetened soft drinks among Saudis, making an emphasis on the complexity of this dietary pattern and the importance of different attitudes influencing on it. Thus, changing this pattern implies a global strategy to reduce both frequency and quantity of consumption.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Availability of data and materials: The data sets used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Consent for publication: The authors signed a Journal Contributor’s Publishing Agreement, granting the journal the sole and exclusive right and license to publish for the full legal term of copyright.
Ethical approval: The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (Ethics number Z-F002) at Princess Nourah University (Riyadh, KSA).
Citation
Benajiba, N. and Eldib, R.S. (2018), "Exploring attitudes related to sweetened soft drinks consumption among adults in Saudi Arabia", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 48 No. 3, pp. 433-441. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-01-2018-0020
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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