Journal of Dental Research, Vol 75, 1879-1884, Copyright © 1996 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Taste preference for sweetness in urban and rural populations in Iraq
H. A. Jamel, A. Sheiham, C. R. Cowell and R. G. Watt
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, UK.
The consumption of sweetened foods is influenced by a variety of
biological, psychological, sociological, and environmental factors. On an
individual level, taste preference for sweetness has been shown to have an
influence on food consumption, although this may be affected by social and
environmental factors. The aim of this study was to assess the taste
preference for sweetness in urban and rural populations in Iraq. The
hypothesis was that sweet preference and the consumption of sugar increase
with urbanization. The sample was composed of 4152 individuals who were
divided into urban and rural subgroups based on their place of residence.
Sweet preference was assessed by means of a tested Sweet Preference
Inventory. Results revealed statistically significant differences between
urban and rural populations in preference for sweetness and in actual sugar
consumption. Individuals from urban locations showed a much higher
preference for sweetness than their rural counterparts and consumed more
sugar. Within the urban population, those individuals who had lived in the
city longer and who were from families with lower educational
qualifications preferred the highest levels of sugar. The findings support
the hypothesis that urbanization influences sweet preference and sugar
consumption.
