20-30대 성인의 대체감미료 식품 섭취 및 인식에 따른 식행동 분석 = A Study on the Consumption, Perception, and Eating Behaviors of Alternative Sweetener Foods among Adults in Their 20s and 30s

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aimed to analyze the perception and consumption of alternative sweetener foods among adults in their 20s and 30s, and to examine their associations with dietary habits and weight management behaviors. An online survey was conducted among 250 healthy adults aged 20 to 39 residing in South Korea. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, dietary habits, health and weight control behaviors, and perceptions and purchasing behaviors related to alternative sweetener foods. Based on participants’ responses, subjects were classified into high- and low-consumption groups as well as positive and negative perception groups. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, cross-tabulation, t-tests, and correlation analysis.
Results indicated that the high-consumption group had significantly more experience using the term “alternative sweeteners” compared to the low-consumption group (p<0.01), although the overall level of awareness remained low across both groups. Even among frequent consumers, detailed knowledge of types and characteristics of alternative sweeteners was limited, highlighting the need for educational interventions to promote safer and more informed consumption.
The primary motive for purchasing alternative sweetener products in the high-consumption group was weight loss, whereas curiosity was the main motive in the low-consumption group (p<0.001). Additionally, a higher proportion of individuals in the high-consumption group perceived themselves as slightly overweight (p<0.05), suggesting that body image may influence the use of alternative sweetener products as a weight control strategy.
Among the positive perception group, the belief that alternative sweeteners support dieting was the most prevalent, while both groups were least likely to associate them with health benefits. The positive perception group also showed higher awareness of the distinction between "low sugar" and "zero sugar" products (p<0.05), and scored higher on nutrition knowledge-seeking behavior (p<0.001), frequency of checking nutrition labels (p<0.01), and awareness of their own BMI (p<0.05).
Consumption of alternative sweetened beverages showed a significant positive correlation with all perception-related variables. Furthermore, a positive correlation was found between overall perception and frequency of consumption, indicating that favorable perceptions of alternative sweeteners are likely to lead to increased consumption and purchasing behavior.
These findings suggest that perceptions and consumption of alternative sweetener foods are associated with consumer awareness, purchasing behavior, dietary patterns, and health-related practices. Despite relatively high levels of consumption and positive perception among some participants, the overall level of understanding remains low, indicating a need for targeted consumer education regarding nutrition labeling, product characteristics, appropriate intake, and safety. This study provides foundational data for developing educational programs and policy initiatives concerning alternative sweeteners, and underscores the need for further research that includes a broader age range and longitudinal tracking of actual consumption patterns.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• Ⅰ. 서 론 1
• 1. 연구의 필요성 및 목적 1
• 2. 연구 목표 5
• Ⅱ. 이론적 배경 6
• 1. 대체감미료 정의 및 분류 6
• 2. 설탕 섭취 현황 및 건강 관련 영향 9
• 1) 설탕 섭취 현황 9
• 2) 설탕 섭취 시 건강 관련 영향 10
• 3. 대체감미료 사용 현황 및 대체감미료 식품 현황 12
• Ⅲ. 연구 내용 및 방법 16
• 1. 연구 대상 및 기간 16
• 2. 연구 내용 및 방법 17
• 1) 인구통계학적 사항 17
• 2) 식습관 및 식사 관련 행동 17
• 3) 운동 및 체중 관리 관련 행동 17
• 4) 대체감미료 식품에 대한 인식 및 구매행동 18
• 3. 자료 분석 방법 20
• Ⅳ. 연구 결과 및 고찰 22
• 1. 인구통계학적 특성 22
• 2. 대체감미료 식품 섭취 빈도 분석 26
• 3. 대체감미료 식품 만족도 분석 29
• 4. 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도에 따른 대체감미료 인지 및 구매행동 분석 31
• 1) 대체감미료 식품 섭취정도에 따른 그룹 구분 31
• 2) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 인구통계학적 특성 차이 32
• 3) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 대체감미료 용어에 대한 인식 차이 35
• 4) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 대체감미료 종류별 인지 여부 차이 38
• 5) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 대체감미료 식품 정보 원천 분석 42
• 6) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 대체감미료 구매자 대체감미료 식품 구매 행동 분석 44
• 7) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 식습관 분석 48
• 8) 대체감미료 식품 섭취빈도군에 따른 건강관리 행동 분석 53
• 5. 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 분석 57
• 1) 대체감미료 식품 인식 그룹 구분 및 인식 문항 분석 57
• 2) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 대체감미료 용어에 대한 인식 차이 60
• 3) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 대체감미료 종류별 인지 여부 차이 62
• 4) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 대체감미료 식품 구매 관련 행동 분석 66
• 5) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 구매자 대체감미료 식품 구매 행동 분석 68
• 6) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 식습관 분석 71
• 7) 대체감미료 식품 인식군에 따른 건강관리 행동 분석 76
• 6. 대체감미료 식품 인식과 섭취 상관관계 분석 80
• Ⅴ. 요약 및 결론 84
• 참 고 문 헌 90
• ABSTRACT 94
• 부록(설문지) 97