I Knew I Should Stop, but I Couldn’t Control Myself’

A qualitative study to explore the factors influencing adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and sugary snacks from a socio-ecological perspective

Bibliographic Data

ID15090941
AuthorsChia-Wen Wang (0000-0002-5020-6395, National Taiwan University), Duan-Rung Chen (0000-0002-6391-987X, National Taiwan University, corresponding author), Chang-Chuan Chan, Chang‐Chuan Chan (0000-0002-7518-5236, National Taiwan University), Yen-Po Yeh, Yen‐Po Yeh (0000-0002-1091-387X, National Taiwan University), Chien‐jen Chen (0000-0002-5799-6705, National Taiwan University), Hsiu-Hsi Chen
Year2022
Volume25
Issue9
Pages2465-2474
Publication date2022-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePublic Health Nutrition (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1368-9800 • E-ISSN: 1475-2727
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1017/s1368980022001185
PMID35582995
OpenAlexW4280530373
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited41

Objective: To explore the factors influencing Taiwanese adolescents’ consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and sugary snacks from a socio-ecological perspective. Design: This study adopted a qualitative design by using face-to-face, in-depth interviews guided by a semistructured questionnaire. Setting: Eight junior high schools in New Taipei City and Changhua County, Taiwan, September to November 2018. Participants: Fifty-nine participants aged 12–14 years participated in this study. Results: Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. This study identified four themes to address the multifaceted factors that influence adolescents’ consumption of SSB and sugary snacks. At the intrapersonal level, physiological factors, psychological factors, individual economic factors and taste preferences were mentioned in connection with people’s consumption of SSB and sugary snacks. Positive or negative influences of parents, siblings, peers and teachers on SSB and sugary snack intake were identified at the interpersonal level. The availability of SSB and sugary snacks at home, their availability in vending machines or in school stores in the school environment and participants’ access to convenience stores and hand-shaken drink shops in the broader community influenced SSB and sugary snack consumption. Additionally, food culture and food advertising were identified as influencing societal factors. Conclusions: Overall, this qualitative study determined not only that the consumption of SSB and sugary snacks is influenced by intrapersonal factors but also that interpersonal, environmental and societal factors affect adolescents’ increased sugar intake. The findings are helpful to broaden the options for designing and developing interventions to decrease SSB and sugary snack consumption by adolescents

Consumption (sociology · Environmental health · Food choice · Interpersonal communication · Intrapersonal communication · Psychological intervention · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling · Medicine · Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology

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