Abstract
Despite strong scientific data indicating associations among sugar-sweetened beverages
(SSB) and numerous adverse health outcomes, little is known about culturally specific
beliefs and potential individual-level behavioral strategies to reduce SSB intake.
The primary objective of this formative study targeting adults residing in rural southwest
Virginia was to apply the Theory of Planned Behavior to investigate culturally specific
attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control constructs related to
the consumption of SSB, water, and artificially sweetened beverages. Using a homogenous
sampling strategy, eight focus groups were conducted with 54 adult participants who
exceeded recommendations of <1 cup of SSB/day. An experienced moderator and co-moderator
utilized a semi-structured script, grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior, to
execute the focus group. All focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim.
Three researchers independently coded meaning units to the major themes and subsequently
met to gain consensus in coding. Important beverage-specific themes emerged for attitudes,
subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions. Across all beverages,
the most notable themes included taste (n=161 meaning units), availability/convenience
(n=95 meaning units), habit/addiction (n=57 meaning units), and cost (n=28 meaning
units). Health consequences associated with beverages and water-quality issues also
surfaced, as well as normative beliefs, including the influence of doctors and peers.
The identified themes and subthemes provide critical insight into understanding culturally
relevant context and beliefs associated with beverage consumption behaviors and helps
inform the development and evaluation of future intervention efforts targeting SSB
consumption in the health disparate region of southwest Virginia.
Keywords
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Biography
J. Zoellner is an associate professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.
Biography
E. Cook is a dietetic intern, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.
Biography
At the time of the study, E. Krzeski was a graduate research assistant, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.
Biography
S. Harden is a post-doctoral student, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, SW Roanoke.
Biography
K. Allen is a PhD candidate, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, SW Roanoke.
Biography
P. A. Estabrooks is a professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, SW Roanoke.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: October 24, 2012
Accepted:
June 18,
2012
Footnotes
FUNDING/SUPPORT This research was funded, in part, by a grant from the National Institutes of Health-National Cancer Institute (1R03CA136457-01A2).
STATEMENT OF POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
