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Does a soda tax curb consumption?
In this WSJ Health Blog article, it says that there are mixed opinions on this topic. Some studies published today in Health Affairs "suggest that existing soda taxes have a mixed record when it comes to curbing obesity."
I'm interested to hear from the Medpedia community -- do you think soda taxes do/could curb obesity?
I'm interested to hear from the Medpedia community -- do you think soda taxes do/could curb obesity?
asked Apr 01, 2010 at 11:43AM in Nutrition
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That WSJ Health Blog article can be found here: http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2010/04/01/does-a-soda-tax-really-curb-consumption/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wsj%2Fhealth%2Ffeed+%28WSJ.com%3A+Health+Blog%29Jennifer Hawkins commented Apr 01, 2010 at 11:43AM
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1Votes
answered Apr 01, 2010 at 01:48PMI was just reading an article, in which it said that diet sodas would be exempted from soda taxes. Diet sodas may increase cravings for sweets and have no nutrition value. Children may just start drinking more diet sodas ( thinking it is healthy) , avoiding drinking water and eating more sugary snacks.
I believe that the companies should be encouraged to reduce sugar contents in all drinks and foods( snacks). Children and adolescents may just replace the source of their sugar consumption from sodas to snacks.
Healthy consistent eating of the basic natural fruit, vegetables, whole grain and fish groups, with moderate activity ( exercise) is the key to reducing obesity, I believe.
Soda taxes may only affect the lower socio-economic group.
The Key may be to ban vending machines which have sugary drinks and snacks from schools.
If there is no access to these machines, the children and adolescents may have to decrease their consumption. The cafeterias should be mandated to only serve healthy foods. -
0VotesThe consequences of consuming too much sugar (obesity, diabetes, chronic inflammation, adverse cognitive effects, etc.) are already well known. Therefore, it does not follow that adding a few cents (or even a dollar or two) to the consequences will dissuade people who overly imbibe in sugary sodas.
These are obviously people who are seeking the "drug" of sugar and are not thinking of any consequences, physical or financial.
Wendy Richardson, ADHD expert and author of "When Too Much Is Not Enough," talks of sugar as being the "gateway drug" for kids with undiagnosed ADHD (sugar being more available to children than are cigarettes, alcohol, etc.) And some continue their habit for a lifetime.
In a certain way, sugar acts a a stimulant to the nervous system. These people simply feel better when they consume sugar; some might even think more clearly. At least for the short term. Then of course the glucose roller coaster begins.
So no, I can't see that taxes (unless they are absolutely exorbitant) would make any difference. But I do agree with Brendan: Selling soda in the schools is a very bad idea. -
0Votes
answered Apr 07, 2010 at 04:35PMThe theory that a soda tax may reduce consumption is based on the success of the cigarette tax. However, we'll never really know whether less soda will be consumed and what might be substituted unless it is tried.
Considered in a broader sense, rather than focus solely on soda, might it be more effective to tax any nutrient void food? Of course the politics of defining junk food is likely to tie that idea up in permanent red tape. However, if a soda tax proves successful, then maybe....
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The content on or accessible through Medpedia.com is for informational purposes only. Medpedia is not a substitute for professional advice or expert medical services from a qualified health professional.
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