Knowledge, attitudes and practices with regard to sugar sweetened beverages and taxation among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Caribbean island of Barbados – A cross sectional survey in primary care

Abstract

AimsBarbados implemented a 10% tax on sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2015. We aimed to determine knowledge, attitudes and practices towards SSB consumption and taxation among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) attending public sector primary care clinics in Barbados. MethodsPeople with T2D attending public sector clinics completed a survey including the Beverage Intake Questionnaire (BEVQ-15). Waist circumference was measured. ResultsOf 384 participants (34.6% male, median age 67 years, interquartile range 60–74 years, African descent 97.6%) 45.9% had diabetes diagnosed for >10 years, 30.7% used insulin, 31.8% had not seen a dietician since diabetes diagnosis, and 62.2% had abdominal obesity. Most (91.1%) thought that consuming SSB was unhealthy and 91% felt that reducing intake would be easy. Only 44.7% favoured the current 10% tax and 29.7% favoured a 20% tax. The median daily SSB consumption was 26.6ml (IQR 3.0–53.2). Responses did not differ by age, gender or abdominal obesity status (p>0.5). Weight loss was being attempted by 45.6% and 21.1% with and without abdominal obesity respectively (p<0.0001). ConclusionsWhile most felt SSB consumption is harmful and the median reported consumption contributes few calories to the diet, a minority supported the current tax.