Exploring Parental Perspectives on Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Children Aged 8 to 14

Main Article Content

Dr. Md. Rakibul Hasan
Samir Kumar Sarker Rony

Abstract

Background: This study explores the increasing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) among children aged 8 to 14 years from the parental perspective, aiming to identify influencing factors.


Methods: A qualitative phenomenological approach was used, involving in-depth interviews with parents. Thematic analysis was employed to extract insights. The study was conducted in Coventry, West Midlands, UK with a purposive sampling technique to select participants. Data were manually transcribed and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework for thematic analysis.


Results: Four key themes surfaced: (1) parental control over the provision of sugar-sweetened beverages, (2) marketing tactics, (3) shopping and special events, and (4) friend influence. Children's drinking habits are greatly influenced by parental practices, such as rewarding children with SSBs and giving their desires priority. Lower pricing makes SSBs more accessible, and effective marketing—which includes commercials and a variety of product options—encourages usage. Peer pressure and special events also play crucial roles.


Conclusion: The research emphasizes how peer pressure, marketing, special events, and parental conduct all interact in intricate ways to impact children's intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. To address these concerns, it emphasizes the need of focused public health initiatives and policies. The growing trend of SSB intake may be lessened by informing parents about healthier options and the dangers of SSBs, as well as by regulating marketing strategies. Public health benefits greatly from this study, which indicates that to properly address this problem, more professional engagement and development are necessary.

Article Details

Section

Research Articles

Author Biographies

Dr. Md. Rakibul Hasan, Graduate Research Assistant and Doctoral Student, University of Louisville, School of Public Health, United States of America

Dr. Md Rakibul Hasan; MBBS, MPH (Cambridge, UK), Diploma in Neuroscience (UK), MCGP (BD), CCT in Emergency Medicine (University of Glasgow, Scotland), PGT in Healthcare (London);

Graduate Research Assistant (Biomedical Health Sciences) and Doctoral Student, Dept. of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, University of Louisville, United States;

Assistant Editor, Journal of Current and Advanced Medical Research, Bangladesh;

Former Healthcare Professional, Cambridge University Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust, UK;

Former Teaching Assistant, Cambridge Regional College, England;

Ex-MSc Student in Global Health, University of Ghent, Belgium

Former Medical Practitioner (Internal Medicine), Dhaka , Bangladesh.

Samir Kumar Sarker Rony, Coventry University, United Kingdom

MSc, Pg.DE, B.Sc.

Graduate Student, Public Health Nutrition, Coventry University, UK

How to Cite

Exploring Parental Perspectives on Factors Influencing Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Children Aged 8 to 14. (2025). Asian Journal of Public Health and Nursing, 1(3). https://doi.org/10.62377/9h2t9407

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