Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and anthropometric profile of grade 6 learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, South Africa: a mixed-methods study
Sugar-sweetened beverage intake and anthropometric profile of grade 6 learners in the Nelson Mandela Bay area, South Africa: a mixed-methods study
Blog Article
Background: A paucity of data exists regarding the intake of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among children and the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in the Nelson Mandela Bay area in South Africa (SA).Objective: To obtain anthropometric data (weight and height), describe the SSB intake, and explore perceptions regarding SSBs of Grade 6 learners attending quintile four and five public schools in the Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) area.Design: A mixed-method study with a convergent design was employed.The quantitative Flexiti phase was a cross-sectional descriptive study with an analytical component.
The qualitative phase followed a phenomenological approach.Setting: Quintile 4 and 5 public schools in the NMB area.Subjects: Grade 6 learners.Outcomes measured: A self-administered questionnaire and focus-group discussions (FGDs) provided information on SSB intake and perceptions regarding SSBs.
The anthropometric profile of learners was described.Results: A total of 183 learners completed the questionnaire, of which 24.6% and 16.4% were classified as overweight and obese respectively.
Soft drinks were the most consumed SSB, with 77.6% of learners reporting a frequency of one to four times per week.There was no statically significant relationship between BMI and SSB intake.There was a statistically significant positive relationship between sugar-free drinks (p = 0.
019) and BMI.Learners had a high awareness of the negative health effects of SSBs, but this did not deter them from consuming SSBs.Conclusion: A multi-sectoral approach including Cyclist Accessories - Clothing - Socks advocating for policy reform and the Health Promotion Levy, coupled with parent education, is recommended to reduce SSB consumption in children to curb childhood overweight and obesity in SA.