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University Students' Knowledge and Perceptions About Concepts, Recommendations, and Health Effects of Added Sugars

Version 2 2024-06-19, 14:24
Version 1 2023-02-10, 04:39
journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-19, 14:24 authored by IP Santana, Tailane ScapinTailane Scapin, VM Rodrigues, GL Bernardo, PL Uggioni, AC Fernandes, RPDC Proença
It is recommended to limit added sugars to below 10% of the daily energy intake, as excessive consumption has been associated with several chronic non-communicable diseases. This exploratory qualitative study used focus groups to investigate the knowledge and perception of Brazilian university students about added sugars concepts, consumption recommendations, and health effects. Focus groups were led by a moderator using a semi-structured discussion guide. The focus groups were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. Five focus groups were conducted with a total of 32 participants (50% women, mean age 23 years). Participants could not distinguish added sugars from sugars naturally present in foods and were unaware of the health impacts associated with excessive added sugar consumption, except for the risk of diabetes. Although most participants reported limiting sugar consumption, they had no knowledge of official consumption recommendations. Given that current public policy agendas aim to reduce added sugar intake, there is a need to strengthen strategies for disseminating information on added sugar concepts, recommendations, health effects and how to identify them in the foods products.

History

Journal

Frontiers in Nutrition

Volume

9

Pagination

896895-

Location

Switzerland

ISSN

2296-861X

eISSN

2296-861X

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal

Publisher

Frontiers Media SA

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