Unraveling the Sugar Rush: A Cross-sectional Study of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Sugar- Sweetened Beverages Consumption among Malaysian Young Adults
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.20.1.20
- Author:
Siti Nur Athirah Aisyah Abu Bakar
1
;
Asma’ Ali
1
;
Abdul Rais Abdul Rahman
1
;
Abbe Maleyki Mhd Jalil
2
;
Noor Salihah Zakaria
1
Author Information
1. Department of Food Science, Faculty of Fisheries and Food Science, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, 21030 Kuala Nerus, Malaysia
2. School of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Kuala Terengganu 21300, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Knowledge, attitude, practices, sugar-sweetened beverages
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2024;20(No.1):152-160
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among young adults in Malaysia has witnessed
a notable increase in recent years, giving rise to concerns regarding the potential adverse health effects, including
obesity and diabetes. Despite the urgent need for targeted interventions, there is a dearth of research examining the
knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to SSBs among Malaysian young adults. To address this research
gap, the present study aims to assess the level of KAP concerning SSB intake and its associated factors in this specific
population. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 408 Malaysian young adults aged between
15 and 29 years. Respondents completed an online questionnaire survey, which encompassed the assessment of
socio-demographic characteristics and KAP regarding SSB consumption. The collected data were analyzed using
IBM’s Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. Spearman correlation tests were performed
at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The majority of respondents demonstrated moderate knowledge (60%) and
practices (60%), while exhibiting a high positive attitude (100%) towards reducing SSB consumption. Significant
correlations were observed between knowledge and attitude (p = 0.003, rs = 0.148) and between knowledge and
practice (p = 0.005, rs = 0.138). Moreover, the attitude scores were found to be significantly associated with gender
(χ2
(1, N = 408) = 10.421, p = 0.001) and locality (χ2
(1, N = 408) = 4.106, p = 0.043), while the practice scores
exhibited a significant association with ethnicity (p = 0.006). Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into
the relationship between KAP related to SSB consumption and socio-demographic factors among Malaysian young
adults. The findings underscore the importance of utilizing these insights to develop strategic interventions that aim
to curtail SSB consumption and promote a healthy lifestyle, ultimately contributing to the reduction of non-communicable diseases. Health authorities are encouraged to capitalize on these findings to design targeted interventions
tailored to the unique needs and circumstances of this population.
- Full text:11.2024my1724.pdf
