Knowledge, Awareness, Believes toward Sugar-Sweetened Beverages among Nursing Students – A Cross-Sectional Study from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and Aims: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of excess calories and added
sugars, leading to rapid increases in energy intake and a higher risk of metabolic disorders such as obesity and
diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness and consumption patterns of sweetened beverages among
nursing undergraduates in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among
undergraduate nursing students between June and August 2025. Participants were recruited through social media
platforms, such as WhatsApp, and through the university email, using convenience sampling. Data were collected
using a pre-validated questionnaire and analyzed by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26
(SPSS Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). Results: A total of 383 undergraduate nursing students participated in the study.
More than half of the nursing students were male (55.3%, n = 196), and the majority were aged between 18 and
22 years (68.1%, n = 261). Overall, nursing students demonstrated a high level of awareness regarding the health
risks of sugary beverages, with 86.9% recognizing their association with weight gain and diabetes. However,
consumption remained prevalent. Nearly half of the nursing students (43.1%, n = 165) reported consuming
sweetened soft drinks 1–5 times during the previous week. Knowledge about the difference between SSBs and
those containing artificial sweeteners was limited, with only 29.8% indicating familiarity with this distinction.
Nevertheless, most nursing students (88.8%) acknowledged that sugary soft drinks could negatively impact
health. Conclusion: Although nursing undergraduates have demonstrated substantial awareness of the health risks
associated with sugary beverages, this knowledge did not consistently translate into healthier drinking behaviors.
These findings underscore the need for focused educational initiatives that strengthen not only general awareness
but also specific nutritional understanding, enabling students to make more informed choices regarding sweetened
beverage consumption.