Factors affecting the intention to consume sugar-sweetened beverages among primary school students of Arak city: An application of the theory of planned behavior

Excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among elementary school students is increasing. This is related to adverse health consequences, in particular the occurrence of chronic diseases in adulthood. Understanding the predictors of reducing the intention to consume these drinks makes it possible to design more effective interventions. The present study was conducted with the purpose of determining the factors affecting the intention to consume sugar-sweetened beverages in primary school students using the theory of planned behavior.

This cross-sectional-analytical study was conducted on 300 elementary school students in Arak city. Students were selected by cluster sampling. The number of consumed glasses of sugar-sweetened beverages per day by students and their mothers as well as the structures of the theory of planned behavior were assessed using the researcher-made questionnaire to determine the most effective predictors of the intention to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in students. The results were analyzed by linear regression test. Ethical considerations were observed in all stages of the study.

The mean age of the students was 11.14±1.26 years and their consumption of sugar-sweetened was 3.86±2.59 glasses per day. Perceived behavioral control (p < 0.001, β = 0.55) and subjective norms (p < 0.001, β = 0.25) were predictors of intention to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. These variables were able to predict 49% of the variance of the intention to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

The results of this study showed that the perceived behavioral control constructs and subjective norms from the theory of planned behavior significantly explained the intention to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages in students. It is recommended to design educational interventions to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages among students based on this theory.