scholarly journals Perspectives of dietitians on the taxation of sugar sweetened beverages in South Africa

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (OCE2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zarina Ebrahim ◽  
Nelene Koen ◽  
Yolandi Smit

AbstractThe taxation on sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), known as the health promotion levy (HPL) was implemented in South Africa in April 2018. The aim of the taxation was to reduce the excessive intake of sugar in the SA population. Many studies have linked a high intake of sugar, particularly SSB to an increased energy intake, increasing the risk of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the perspectives of dietitians on the HPL.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, dietitians were recruited through the weekly Association of Dietetics in South Africa newsletter and social media platforms. Dietitians (n = 138) completed an electronic survey using Survey Monkey. The survey consisted of five sections; consent, demographics, awareness of the sugar taxation, opinions and SSB purchasing/consumption of patients. Descriptive statistics was performed using Statistica version 13.2.Results: Nearly all of the dietitians were female (95%, n = 131), with a mean age of 33 years (± 9.73). Two thirds were qualified with a four year professional Honors degree (67%, n = 92) and 25% (n = 34) had a Master's degree. A majority of dietitians were employed full time (80%, n = 111), working mainly in the area of clinical nutrition (26%, n = 33) and private practice (21%, n = 27). Most dietitians (98%, n = 127) were aware of the sugar tax, although 75% (n = 98) did not know the sugar content where tax was applicable and 78% (n = 101) did not know the tax amount levied. Dietitians opinion towards the HPL was positive (75%, n = 94), although 56% (n = 68) disagreed it would reduce obesity. A majority of dietitians (86%, n = 108) indicated other factors contribute to obesity. Most dietitians consult with patients (73%, n = 90). Patients were mainly from a lower socio-economic status (43%, n = 60). Dietitians disagreed it would reduce their patient's beverage consumption (61%, n = 55), with most agreeing the tax was too little to make a difference (71%, n = 89) and that it is mainly due to patient's liking the taste for not changing (46%, n = 36). Dietitians (34%, n = 31) use the SBL as a motivational tool, while 83% (n = 75) teach their patients to look for sugar on food labels.Conclusion: From the dietitian's perspective, the sugar taxation has not influenced their patient's consumption behaviour. Dietitians have a positive attitude toward the HPL although they don't think it will reduce the prevalence of obesity. Other strategies should be employed to reduce sugar consumption in the SA population.

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 320-323
Author(s):  
Samar Hossain ◽  
Sharma Priyanka ◽  
Talib Hossain ◽  
Surendra Mohan Mathur

Objective: The last two decades have witnessed an increase in health care costs due to obesity and related issues among children and adolescents. Childhood obesity is a global phenomenon affecting all socio-economic groups, irrespective of age, sex or ethnicity. The study was done to find the the prevalence of obesity and overweight and their association with socioeconomic status (SES) and the risk factors. Materials and Methods: School based cross sectional study carried out over a period of 4 months in three schools of East Delhi. The study was carried out in 629 school children of 10–18 years of age and belonging to different socioeconomic statuses in schools in East Delhi. The obesity and overweight were considered using an updated body mass index reference. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to determine the Socio-economic status and life style factors. Results: The prevalence of overweight among children was higher in middle socioeconomic status groups as compared to high socioeconomic class in both boys and girls whereas the prevalence of obesity was higher in high Socio economic status group as compared to middle socioeconomic group. The prevalence of obesity as well as overweight in low SES group was the lowest as compared to other group. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the prevalence of overweight and obesity varies remarkably with different socioeconomic development levels.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Laga Patriantoro ◽  
Yoga Devaera ◽  
Saptawati Bardosono ◽  
Khalida Fauzia ◽  
Meirina Khoirunnisa ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescence increases significantly from year to year particularly in Depok. Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages is one of the causes. Excess triglyceride levels are one of the risk factor for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Consumption frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with increased serum triglyceride levels.  Method: This study used a cross-sectional design involving 47 subjects recruited through the consecutive sampling method. The consumption frequency of sweetened soft drinks is taken by the semiquantitative FFQ method. Samples of serum triglyceride levels were taken from venous blood and measured using enzymatic methods.Result: Forty-seven subjects finished the study protocol The result showed that there is a significant positive correlation with very strong degrees (p = <0.001, r = 0.88) between the consumption frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages with serum triglyceride levels.Conclusion: There is a significant positive correlation with very strong degrees between the consumption frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages with serum triglyceride levels.Keywords: overweight, female adolescence, sugar-sweetened beverages, triglyceride


2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-26
Author(s):  
Aida Aliah Abu Bakar ◽  
Napisah Hussin ◽  
Abbe Maleyki Mhd. Jalil ◽  
Marhazlina Mohamad

Overweight and obesity are major health concerns in Malaysia, which are linked to other health consequences such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases and several others. Among dietary factors, sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are reported to be one of the leading factors of weight gain and a higher body mass index (BMI). Sugar-sweetened beverages are beverages with added sugar that only add calories to an individual’s normal diet and they represent the largest contributor to the added sugars intake. This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of SSB consumption among university students in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, as well as to investigate the association between the students’ SSB consumption and their BMI. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 350 Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) Gong Badak Campus and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) students by using the convenience sampling. Each participant was given a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic details, anthropometric assessment and beverage intake. The results revealed that half of the students consumed 2 cups (500 mL) of SSBs on average days (49.4%), whereas 21.7% of them consumed at least 3 cups daily. It was found that sweetened tea was the students’ most preferred SSB and there was also an association between the SSB consumption and the BMI. In conclusion, university students in Kuala Nerus drink 2 cups of SSBs daily and sweetened tea is their preferred SSB. Since the students’ SSB consumption influences their BMI, these students must be aware on the contents of SSB and the related health consequences in order to reduce the consumption of these beverages and hence, reduce their BMI to a healthy level.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e022048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizi Lin ◽  
Chenxiong Li ◽  
Chuyao Jin ◽  
Yuanzhou Peng ◽  
Kawther M Hashem ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe consumption of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages (CSSBs) is associated with a range of health problems, but little is known about the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in China. The study aimed to investigate the sugar and energy content of CSSBs in Beijing, China.Study designWe carried out a cross-sectional survey in 15 different supermarkets from July to October 2017 in Haidian District, Beijing.MethodsThe product packaging and nutrient labels of CSSBs were recorded by a snapshot in time to obtain company name, product name, serving size, and nutrient content, that is, carbohydrate, sugar and energy. For CSSB labels not showing sugar content, we used carbohydrate content as substitute. The sugar and energy content of CSSBs within each type of flavour were compared using Kruskal-Wallis test. The sugar content within the recommended levels was described using frequency. We also compared the sugar and energy content of top 5 CSSBs in terms of sales among three countries (China, UK and USA).ResultsA total of 93 CSSB products were found. The median sugar content was 9.3 (IQR: 5.7–11.2) g/100 mL, and the energy content was 38 (IQR: 23–46) kcal/100 mL. There were 79 products labelled ‘Red’ (high) per serving based on the criteria set in the UK (>11.25 g/100 mL). We found 62.4% of CSSBs had sugar content per serving that exceeds the daily free sugar intake for adults (25 g) recommended by the WHO. Some of the branded products sold in China had higher sugar content when they were compared with those in Western countries.ConclusionsCSSBs in Beijing, China have high sugar and energy content. Reduction in sugar content and serving size of CSSBs and taxation policy on beverages will be beneficial in reducing sugar intake in China.


2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-559

Background: The high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to overweight and chronic disease. Since Thailand launched its sugar taxation policy, the sugar content of SSBs remains unknown. Objective: To assess product sugar content as g/100 mL and the number of products that meet the sugar tax criteria and to compare sugar content levels across various SSB categories. Materials and Methods: Between April and May 2020, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Bangkok and five provinces in health region 2, which are Sukhothai, Phitsanulok, Phetchabun, Tak, and Uttaradit, using major supermarket retailers and local convenience stores. Data were collected from product packaging and nutrition information panels (NIP) of each SSB via photograph. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used to compare sugar content across various SSB categories. Results: From 1,316 SSBs, the products without NIPs (n=79) were excluded, along with duplicate products in different packaging sizes (n=248). The remaining 989 items were included in the authors’ analyses. The median sugar content of all products was 7.5 (IQR 5.0 to 10.0) g/100 mL. The maximum sugar content was 24.0 g/100 mL in fermented milk and the minimum was 0.2 g/100 mL in herbal beverages. Flavored drinking yogurts had the highest median sugar content, at 11.7 (IQR 7.5 to 13.9) g/100 mL, while flavored water had the lowest median, at 4.5 (IQR 3.0 to 8.6) g/100 mL. There were statistically significant differences in sugar content between SSBs categories (p<0.001). Of all 989 products, 393 (39.7%) had a sugar content below 6 g/100 mL and were subjected to zero tax. Conclusion: Most of SSBs have low sugar content level with respect to excise sugar tax rate. However, the sugar content in drinkable dairy products and carbonated soft drink are of concern. Keywords: Sugar-sweetened beverages, Serving size, Sugar, Taxation


Author(s):  
Dr. Rajesh Shukla ◽  
Dr. Ankit Gupta ◽  
Dr. A. Bhattar

Background: Obesity is evolving as a major nutritional problem in developing countries affecting a substantial number of adults and resulting in an increased burden of chronic disease. Objectives: To study the prevalence of obesity and to establish the correlation between BMI and Neck Circumference in childrens of Rural & Urban Raipur. Methods: Height measured using a stadiometer. Weight recorded to the nearest 0.1 kg using a weighing scale. BMI measured from the available WHO growth charts for children. Waist and neck circumference measured using a standard measuring tape to the nearest 0.1cm. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was found to be 9.8% and 7.8% respectively in our study. The prevalence of overweight was found to be 9.5% and 10.2% in males and females, respectively while obesity was more common in males (8.8%) compared to females (6.6%). Also there was direct correlation of prevalence of obesity with the choice of diet. 64.4% obese or overweight children belonged to the non vegetarian diet group as opposed to 35.6% in vegetarian group. Conclusion: There was positive correlation between the socio-economic status and prevalence of obesity, also with the choice of diet. Children studying in Private schools had a higher prevalence of obesity when compared to Government schools. Keywords: Height, Neck Circumference, Obesity, Overweight, Vegetarian Diet, Waist.


2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 959-964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jérémy Vanhelst ◽  
Jean-Benoît Baudelet ◽  
Paul S Fardy ◽  
Laurent Béghin ◽  
Jacques Mikulovic ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in French youth from 2009 to 2013 and to determine if there are differences in weight categories according to socio-economic status.DesignCross-sectional study performed in different regions of France. Physical measures included weight, height and BMI. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined according to age- and sex-specific BMI cut-off points from the International Obesity Task Force.SettingFrance.SubjectsChildren and adolescents (n 9670; 4836 boys, 4834 girls) from the French national BOUGE Program between 2009 and 2013.ResultsThe prevalence of obesity was higher in boys than girls (P<0·05). In contrast, underweight was more prevalent in girls (P<0·05). Although there were no significant changes in overweight or underweight boys or girls from 2009 to 2013, there was a significant increase in obesity in boys and girls (P<0·05) during the same time period. The prevalence of underweight increased in girls from 12·0 to 16·7 % (P >0·05) and remained unchanged in boys (7·1–7·3 %) between 2009 and 2013. Overweight and obesity were higher in low socio-economic families (P<0·0001).ConclusionsFindings suggest that the prevalence of overweight was stable although high in French children and adolescents, while the prevalence of obesity increased significantly. Changes in underweight, although not significant, were high in girls and merit further attention. Improving public health interventions, especially in high-risk low socio-economic populations, may help to modify the behaviour that contributes to underweight, overweight and obesity in young boys and girls.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 1114-1122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth W Kimani-Murage ◽  
Kathleen Kahn ◽  
John M Pettifor ◽  
Stephen M Tollman ◽  
Kerstin Klipstein-Grobusch ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate predictors of adolescent obesity in rural South Africa.DesignCross-sectional study. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured using standard procedures. Overweight and obesity in adolescents aged 10–17 years were assessed using the International Obesity Taskforce cut-offs, while the WHO adult cut-offs were used for participants aged 18–20 years. Waist-to-height ratio of >0·5 defined central obesity in those at Tanner stages 3–5. Linear and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate risk factors.SettingAgincourt sub-district, rural South Africa.SubjectsParticipants (n 1848) were aged 10–20 years.ResultsCombined overweight and obesity was higher in girls (15 %) than boys (4 %), as was central obesity (15 % and 2 %, respectively). With regard to overweight/obesity, fourfold higher odds were observed for girls and twofold higher odds were observed for participants from households with the highest socio-economic status (SES). The odds for overweight/obesity were 40 % lower if the household head had not completed secondary level education. For central obesity, the odds increased 10 % for each unit increase in age; girls had sevenfold higher odds v. boys; post-pubertal participants had threefold higher odds v. pubertal participants; those with older mothers aged 50+ years had twofold higher odds v. those whose mothers were aged 35–49 years; those in highest SES households had twofold higher odds v. those in lowest SES households.ConclusionsIn rural South Africa, adolescent females are most at risk of obesity which increases with age and appears to be associated with higher SES. To intervene effectively, it is essential to understand how household factors influence food choice, diet and exercise.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2233
Author(s):  
Xuxiu Zhuang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Joel Gittelsohn ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
Shenzhi Song ◽  
...  

(1) Background: The present study aimed to investigate the association between home-related factors, community environmental factors, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) intake among Northeastern Chinese children. (2) Methods: Cross-sectional. Children with complete data were included in the analysis (n = 901). A questionnaire modified according to BEVQ-15 measured the intake of SSBs. Logistic regression was applied to determine the factors associated with the consumption of SSBs. IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 was applied to perform all statistical analyses. (3) Results: The mean total amount of SSBs consumed on a weekly basis was 2214.04 ± 2188.62 mL. Children’s weekly pocket money, frequency of SSBs purchase, SSBs availability at home, the number of accessible supermarkets, and frequency of weekly visits to convenience stores were all found to be associated with a high intake of SSBs among all children. Among children of normal weight, the findings indicated that weekly pocket money, SSBs availability at home, and number of accessible supermarkets were associated with a high SSBs intake. At the same time, frequency of SSBs purchase, mother’s SSBs intake, and frequency of weekly visits to convenience stores were associated with a high SSBs intake among children with obesity. (4) Conclusions: Given the potential negative health effects of high SSBs intake, it is crucial to pay attention to home-related factors and community environment.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Teresa Gontijo de Castro ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Leanne Young ◽  
Sally Mackay

Abstract Objective: To assess trends in relative availability, sugar content and serve size of ready-to-drink non-alcoholic beverages available for sale in supermarkets from 2013 to 2019. Design: Repeat cross-sectional surveys. Data on single-serve beverages to be consumed in one sitting were obtained from an updated brand-specific food composition database. Trends in beverages availability and proportions with serve size ≤ 250 ml were assessed by χ2 tests. Sugar content trends were examined using linear regressions. The proportion of beverages exceeding the sugar threshold of the United Kingdom Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) was assessed. Setting: New Zealand. Results: From 2013 to 2019, there was (i) an increase in the availability of sugar-free/low-sugar beverages (n 25 (8·4 %) to n 75 (19·1 %); P < 0·001) and craft sugar-sweetened soft drinks (n 11 (3·7 %) to n 36 (9·2 %); P < 0·001), and a decrease in availability of fruit/vegetable juices/drinks (n 94 (31·8 %) to n 75 (19·4 %); P < 0·001); (ii) small decreases in sugar content (mean g/100 ml) of sugar-sweetened soft drinks (3·03; 95 % CI 3·77, 2·29); fruit/vegetable juices/drinks (1·08; 95 % CI 2·14, 0·01) and energy drinks (0·98; 95 % CI 1·63, 0·32) and (iii) slight reduction in the proportion of beverages with serve size ≤ 250 ml (21·6 to 18·9 %; P < 0·001). In 2019, most beverages were sugar-sweetened or had naturally occurring sugars (79·1 %) and serve size > 250 ml (81·1 %) and most sugar-sweetened beverages exceeded the SDIL lower benchmark (72·9 %). Conclusions: Most single-serve beverages available for sale in 2019 were sugary drinks with high sugar content and large serve sizes; therefore, changes made across the years were not meaningful for population’s health.


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