Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Oct;10(5):546-554. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.5.546.

Perception of sugar reduction, nutrition education, and frequency of snacking in children by the self-perceived sweet dietary habits of mothers in Busan

• Yeon JY
• Lee SK

• KMID: 2434090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.5.546

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the perception of sugar reduction, nutrition education, and frequency of snacking in children according to the self-perceived dietary preferences for sweet taste by mothers in Busan.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
A total of 277 mothers were surveyed, and their perceptions of sugar reduction and the frequency of snacking in children were assessed using a questionnaire. The subjects were classified into either a sweet (n = 91) or an unsweet (n = 186) group according to their self-perceived preferences for a sweet taste.
RESULTS
In the sweet group, the results for sweet products were sweetened ice (86.8%), confectionery (74.7%), processed milk (73.6%), carbonated beverages (71.4%), and fermented milk (53.9%). In the unsweet group, the results were sweetened ice (88.7%), carbonated beverages (78.5%), processed milk (75.8%), confectionery (69.4%), and fermented milk (50.5%). The necessity of sugar intake reduction was high in both groups (sweet = 89.0%, unsweet = 82.8%). Beverage purchases after identifying the nutrition labeling was significantly lower in the sweet group than in the unsweet group (P < 0.05). The reasons for the beverage purchases instead of water were "habitually" (50.5%) and "like sweet taste" (25.3%) in the sweet group (P < 0.01). Snacking in children was significantly higher in the sweet group based on the increased frequencies of carbonated drinks (P < 0.01), fast food (P < 0.001), candy and chocolate (P < 0.05), crackers (P < 0.01), ramen (P < 0.01), and fish paste/hotdogs (P < 0.01). The frequency of purchase education after identifying the nutrition labeling was significantly lower in the sweet group than in the unsweet group (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that a perception of sugar reduction and practical nutrition education aimed at reducing the sugar intake are necessary to improve dietary habits.

Keyword

Dietary habit; sugar reduction; snack frequency; nutrition education

MeSH Terms

Beverages
Busan*
Cacao
Candy
Carbonated Beverages
Child*
Education*
Fast Foods
Food Habits*
Food Labeling
Humans
Ice
Milk
Mothers*
Snacks*
Water
Ice
Water

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