Table 4.3b. Attitude of (NNS) (n=396) 46
Table 4.4b Perception of health risks associated with
consumption of NNS amongst
participants
( n= 396) Continuation
49
Table 4.5a. Consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners
amongst participants (n=396)
Variable
55
Table 4.5b. Consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners
amongst
participants
( n=396) continuation 56
Table 4.5c. Consumption pattern of artificial sweeteners
amongst participants
(n=396) 58
Table 4.5.d consumption pattern of artificial sweetener among participant
(n=396) cnd.
59
ABSTRACT
This cross-sectional study assessed the knowledge, attitude, perception,
and consumption pattern of non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) among adolescents in
Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State using multi-stage sampling
technique. An interviewer self-administered questionnaire was used to collect
data from 396 adolescents. Knowledge was classified as <50% (poor),
50-70% (fair) and >70% (good), attitude was classified as <50%
(negative), 50-70 (neutral) and >70% (positive), and perception was classified
as <50% (low), 50-70% (moderate) and >70% (high). Frequency and
percentage were used in analyzing the socio-demographic characteristics,
knowledge level, and attitude of health risk, perception of health risk and
consumption pattern of NNS. Chi-square was used to test factors associated with
knowledge, attitude, perception and consumption pattern of NNS at ≤ 0.05 level
of significance. The result revealed that more than half of the adolescents had poor knowledge (58.6%) with (51.5%)
participants believing that NNS contains fewer calories than sugar, 63.4%
perceiving a lower risk for cancer, and 65.4% doubted that NNS reduced food
cravings. Attitude were mostly
neutral at 38.4% suggesting limited awareness regarding the benefits and risk
of these substitutes. The neutrality might be from lack of strong opinions or
insufficient knowledge about health implications associated with NNS. About
30.1% supported to substituting sugar with NNS and 83.8% supported on the
necessity to check food labels for NNS. More than half (55.1%) had low
awareness with being able to identify common foods containing NNS. The food
product containing nonnutritive sweetener that had the highest daily
consumption was cocoa products with (36.6%), with about 24% of the respondents
consuming flavored drink once weekly, 31.8% of the respondents consumed
carbonated drinks once daily. Based on dairy product consumption, 30.8%
consumed dairy product once daily, and 23.2% of the respondents consumed
confectionaries 2-3 times daily. The study showed that about 34.6% of the
respondents consumed candies once daily, 22.5% of the respondents consuming
cereals once daily, and 28.5% of the respondents rarely consumed jam.
Statistical analysis shows that marital status of parents, class of study and location
of residence were associated with knowledge of NNS. Location of residence and
marital status were associated with attitude, while class, location of
residence and marital status were associated with perception of NNS. The
findings in this study indicates that majority of adolescents have limited
knowledge and awareness of NNS. The study recommends that intervention
strategies such as implementing school-based education programs that addresses
the types, uses and potential health effect of NNS be designed National or
community level awareness campaigns should also be implemented.
SANDRA, N (2025). Knowledge, Attitude, Perception And Consumption Pattern Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Among Adolescents In Umuahia North Local Government Area Abia State:- Udeh, Sandra N. Mouau.afribary.org: Retrieved Jul 11, 2025, from https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-perception-and-consumption-pattern-of-non-nutritive-sweeteners-among-adolescents-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-udeh-sandra-n-7-2
NNEAMAKA, SANDRA. "Knowledge, Attitude, Perception And Consumption Pattern Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Among Adolescents In Umuahia North Local Government Area Abia State:- Udeh, Sandra N" Mouau.afribary.org. Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Jul. 2025, https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-perception-and-consumption-pattern-of-non-nutritive-sweeteners-among-adolescents-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-udeh-sandra-n-7-2. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
NNEAMAKA, SANDRA. "Knowledge, Attitude, Perception And Consumption Pattern Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Among Adolescents In Umuahia North Local Government Area Abia State:- Udeh, Sandra N". Mouau.afribary.org, Mouau.afribary.org, 10 Jul. 2025. Web. 11 Jul. 2025. < https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-perception-and-consumption-pattern-of-non-nutritive-sweeteners-among-adolescents-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-udeh-sandra-n-7-2 >.
NNEAMAKA, SANDRA. "Knowledge, Attitude, Perception And Consumption Pattern Of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners Among Adolescents In Umuahia North Local Government Area Abia State:- Udeh, Sandra N" Mouau.afribary.org (2025). Accessed 11 Jul. 2025. https://repository.mouau.edu.ng/work/view/knowledge-attitude-perception-and-consumption-pattern-of-non-nutritive-sweeteners-among-adolescents-in-umuahia-north-local-government-area-abia-state-udeh-sandra-n-7-2