The nexus of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: Insights on demographics, enablers and barriers

• Published in: Public health in practice (Oxford, England) England), 2021-11, Vol.2, p.100189-100189, Article 100189
• Main Authors: Al-Alawy, Khamis, Gaafar, Reem, Moonesar, Immanuel Azaad, Muhsineh, Shatha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Barriers; Enablers; Health promotion; Nexus; Original Research; Public health policy; Sugar-sweetened beverages; UAE
• ISSN: 2666-5352; 2666-5352
• DOI: 10.1016/j.puhip.2021.100189

The study objectives were to a) explore the association between household income and nationality and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) enablers and barriers, and b) inform public health policy and health promotion. A Cross-sectional Study in the UAE. Nationally representative population survey was used to capture demographic and SSB behaviour data. We recruited 7500 participants into the study and received 1290 responses (17.2% participation rate). We report statistically significant associations between household income, nationality, and enablers and barriers. In some instances, similar enablers and barriers were reported by household income and nationality. There are several associations between household income, nationality and SSB enablers, and barriers. These associations should be considered for future public health policy and health promotion decision-making to reduce SSB consumption. In addition, further research is needed to explore how other demographic factors (modifying variables) are associated with SSB enablers and barriers. •They are statistically significant associations between household income, nationality and SSB enablers, and barriers;•For SSB enablers, participants agreed that SSB is readily available when they go out, and the label and packaging does not suggest SSB is harmful to health. Participants had neutral viewpoints on SSB affordability and availability at home, ease of access through mobile platforms and lack of healthier alternatives suggesting more work is needed to sway participants to disagree or strongly disagree on these aspects;•For SSB barriers, participants agreed that they worry about their health if they drink SSB, know about SSB that prevents them from drinking SSB, and were happy with the sugar-free alternatives. There were several areas where participants expressed a neutral viewpoint, e.g. there are no good deals/promotions to buy SSB, SSB is not available when they go out, they do not like the taste of SSB, SSB makes them sick, the label and packaging of SSB tells them it is harmful to their health, and they always have cheaper or free alternatives suggesting more work needed to sway participants to agree or strongly agre; and•Household income and nationality can influence SSB enablers and barriers in different ways, and in some instances, presents a nexus.