Abstract
Research addressing factors related to free sugar (FS) consumption among children in Saudi Arabia is lacking. We aimed to evaluate maternal knowledge, attitude, and practices toward FS and the associations with children’s intake of FS. This cross-sectional study included 424 Saudi children aged 6–12 years and their mothers. Data related to maternal knowledge, attitude, and practices were collected using an online survey. Data concerning children’s habitual intake of FS were collected through phone interviews using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Limited knowledge on FS was observed among mothers of children [median 7.00 [interquartile range 6.00–8.00] out of 11.0. Maternal knowledge was not correlated with maternal attitude or practices toward FS. Maternal knowledge towards FS did not predict children’s intake of FS, whereas maternal attitude and practices toward limiting the consumption of FS predicted lower intake of FS among Saudi children, particularly the FS consumed from solid food sources (B: −5.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): −9.79 to −1.66]) and (B: −6.85 [95% CI: −11.9 to −1.80]), respectively. Despite the limited knowledge pertaining to FS among mothers in Saudi Arabia, they were making efforts to limit their children’s consumption of FS.
Highlights
Excessive intake of free sugar (FS) among children has been reported in several settings [1,2,3]
The present study aimed to evaluate maternal knowledge, attitude, and practices related to FS and the associations with children’s intake of FS
Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between maternal knowledge, attitude, and practices related to FS and children’s intake of FS adjusting for children’s age and sex (Table 4)
Summary
Excessive intake of free sugar (FS) among children has been reported in several settings [1,2,3]. Existing evidence suggests that excessive intake of sugary food replaces the consumption of important foods in the diet, such as fruits and vegetables, leading to lower intake of crucial nutrients and lower quality of diet [6,7,8]. Insufficient nutrient intake among children for a prolonged period of time may result in growth impairment in addition to many other long-term health consequences [9]. The theory of knowledge, attitude, and practice is important to explain health-related behaviors. The palatability and convenience of sugary foods could influence practices related to the consumption of FS foods [11,12,13,14]. The cost per calorie for energy-dense nutrient-poor foods is generally less, which may influence food-related decisions among individuals and result in excessive intake of FS [15,16]
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