An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Beverage Sweetening Practices in Middle Eastern Families.
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| Title: | An Exploratory Qualitative Study of Beverage Sweetening Practices in Middle Eastern Families. |
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| Authors: | Abdel Rahman, Abir1, Kassem, Nada O. F.2, Edwards, Marc3, Abboud, Juliana4, Abdallah, Bahia5 bahia.abdallah@lau.edu.lb |
| Source: | Inquiry (00469580). 7/23/2025, Vol. 62, p1-11. 11p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Parents, *Qualitative research, *Culture, *Social norms, *Parenting, *Caregivers, *Food habits, *Research, *Research methodology, Families & psychology, Health literacy, Dietary sucrose, Interviewing, Consumer attitudes, Descriptive statistics, Judgment sampling, Milk, Thematic analysis, Bottle feeding, Data analysis software, Beverages, Middle Easterners, Intergenerational relations |
| Geographic Terms: | Mediterranean Region, Lebanon, Middle East |
| Abstract: | Over the last 30 years, there has been a continuing global shift in eating patterns and associated behaviors toward the consumption of foods and beverages rich in refined sugars in developed and undeveloped countries. The behavior of adding sugar to milk and other beverages has been observed as a major underlying factor in developing countries, including the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This qualitative study fills a knowledge gap by exploring the "adding sugar behavior" in primary caregivers and the underlying factors behind this common practice. In this study, a total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with the mothers, fathers and grandmothers of students from 4 public schools in Lebanon and thematically analyzed. The adding sugar behavior was common among the participants. Primary caregivers reported adding sugar to milk and to other beverages. Only a few primary caregivers stated that sugar was harmful and should be avoided. A common theme that emerged was that adding sugar to milk and beverages was a habit and a social norm within a locality. Findings of this innovative study in a Middle Eastern setting showed that the adding sugar behavior was influenced by specific personal and cultural behavioral factors. Strategies in future health behavior modification programs should include the children's family and the behaviors and habits within the culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Inquiry (00469580) is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Education Research Complete |
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| Abstract: | Over the last 30 years, there has been a continuing global shift in eating patterns and associated behaviors toward the consumption of foods and beverages rich in refined sugars in developed and undeveloped countries. The behavior of adding sugar to milk and other beverages has been observed as a major underlying factor in developing countries, including the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This qualitative study fills a knowledge gap by exploring the "adding sugar behavior" in primary caregivers and the underlying factors behind this common practice. In this study, a total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with the mothers, fathers and grandmothers of students from 4 public schools in Lebanon and thematically analyzed. The adding sugar behavior was common among the participants. Primary caregivers reported adding sugar to milk and to other beverages. Only a few primary caregivers stated that sugar was harmful and should be avoided. A common theme that emerged was that adding sugar to milk and beverages was a habit and a social norm within a locality. Findings of this innovative study in a Middle Eastern setting showed that the adding sugar behavior was influenced by specific personal and cultural behavioral factors. Strategies in future health behavior modification programs should include the children's family and the behaviors and habits within the culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 00469580 |
| DOI: | 10.1177/00469580251359507 |
