Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and its associated factors in the Netherlands

Abstract Objective: To investigate the level of public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax and its associated factors. Design: Participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire. Acceptability of an SSB tax was measured on a seven-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree). Associations between acceptability and sociodemographic factors, weight status, SSB consumption and beliefs about effectiveness (e.g., ‘An SSB tax would reduce people’s SSB consumption’), appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. Setting: The Netherlands. Participants: Dutch adults aged ≥18 years representative of the Dutch population for age, sex, education level and location (n 500). Results: Of the participants, 40 % supported and 43 % opposed an SSB tax in general. Moreover, 42 % supported (43 % opposed) an SSB tax as a strategy to reduce overweight, and 55 % supported (32 % opposed) an SSB tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. Participants with a low education level (B = –0·82, 95 % CI –1·31, –0·32), overweight (B = –0·49, 95 % CI –0·89, –0·09), moderate or high SSB consumption (B = –0·86, 95 % CI –1·30, –0·43 and B = –1·01, 95 % CI –1·47, –0·56, respectively) and households with adolescents (B = –0·57, 95 % CI –1·09, –0·05) reported a lower acceptability of an SSB tax than their counterparts. Beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were associated with acceptability (P < 0·001). Conclusions: Public acceptability of an SSB tax tends to be higher if revenue is used for health initiatives. The factors associated with acceptability should be taken into consideration.

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Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverages tax and its associated factors in the Netherlands

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa165.326 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Eykelenboom ◽

M M van Stralen ◽

M R Olthof ◽

C M Renders ◽

I H M Steenhuis

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Educational Level ◽

Economic Benefit ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽

Sweetened Beverages ◽

Public Acceptability ◽

Health Initiatives

Abstract Background Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) tax is important for governments in the decision-making process. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the level of public acceptability of an SSBs tax and its associated factors. Methods Dutch adults representative of the Dutch population for age, sex, educational level and location (n = 500) completed an online self-administered questionnaire. The acceptability of an SSBs tax was measured on a 7-point Likert scale. Associations between acceptability and sociodemographic factors, body mass index, SSB consumption, and beliefs about effectiveness (9 items, e.g. 'An SSBs tax would reduce people's SSB consumption'), appropriateness (7 items), socioeconomic and economic benefit (5 items), implementation (1 item) and trust (3 items) were assessed using multivariable linear regression analyses. Results Of the participants, 40% supported and 43% opposed an SSBs tax in general. Moreover, 42% supported (43% opposed) an SSBs tax as a strategy to reduce overweight and 55% supported (32% opposed) an SSBs tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. Participants with a low educational level (B=-0.82;95%CI = [-1.31,-0.32]), overweight (B=-0.49;95%CI = [-0.89,-0.09]), moderate or high SSB consumption (B=-0.86;95%CI = [-1.30,-0.43] and B=-1.01;95%CI = [-1.47,-0.56], respectively) and households with adolescents (B=-0.57;95%CI = [-1.09,-0.05]) reported lower acceptability of an SSBs tax than their counterparts. Beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust were associated with acceptability (P < 0.001). Conclusions Public acceptability of an SSBs tax tends to be higher if revenue is used for health initiatives. Sociodemographic factors, body mass index, SSB consumption and several beliefs about effectiveness, appropriateness, socioeconomic and economic benefit, implementation and trust are associated with acceptability. Key messages It should be considered to include a recommendation to use revenue for health initiatives in global guidelines for SSBs taxes. Targeting population subgroups with low levels of support might be an effective strategy for communication campaigns.

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Sugar-sweetened beverage consumption and association with weight status in Irish children: a cross-sectional study prior to the introduction of a government tax on sugar-sweetened beverages

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980020000014 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 23 (12) ◽

pp. 2234-2244

Author(s):

Janas M Harrington ◽

Catherine Perry ◽

Eimear Keane ◽

Ivan J Perry

Keyword(s):

Energy Intake ◽

Weight Status ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Normal Weight ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Daily Energy Intake ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Daily Energy

AbstractObjective:To provide baseline evidence of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption in a sample of Irish children prior to the introduction of the SSB tax; to identify the energy contribution of SSB to daily energy intake; and to explore the association between SSB consumption and overweight/obesity.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:Primary schools in Cork, Ireland in 2012.Participants:1075 boys and girls aged 8–11 years. SSB consumption was assessed from 3-d food diaries. BMI was used to define obesity (International Obesity Taskforce definitions). Plausible energy reporters (n 724, 68 % of total sample) were classified using Schofield equation.Results:Eighty-two per cent of children with plausible energy intake consumed SSB. Mean energy intake from SSB was 485 kJ (6 % of total kJ). Mean kilojoules from SSB increased with weight status from 443 kJ for normal-weight children to 648 kJ for children with overweight/obesity (5·8 and 7·6 % of total kJ, respectively). Mean SSB intake was significantly higher in children with overweight/obesity than normal-weight children (383 and 315 ml/d). In adjusted analyses, children consuming >200 ml/d had an 80 % increased odds of overweight/obesity compared to those consuming <200 ml/d (OR 1·8, 95 % CI 1·0, 3·5). Family socioeconomic status and lifestyle determinants, including frequency of takeaway consumption and TV viewing, were also significantly associated with SSB consumption.Conclusions:SSB account for a substantial proportion of daily energy intake and are significantly associated with child overweight/obesity. This study provides baseline data from a sample of children from which the impact of the SSB tax can be benchmarked.

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Using habit theory to inform public health initiatives targeting adolescent sugar-sweetened beverage consumption

Obesity Research & Clinical Practice ◽

10.1016/j.orcp.2013.12.721 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. e123-e124

Author(s):

Fraser L. Tull ◽

Anna Peeters ◽

Kathryn Backholer

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Beverage Consumption ◽

Sweetened Beverage ◽

Health Initiatives ◽

Public Health Initiatives

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Sociodemographic, lifestyle, behavioral, and parental factors associated with sugar-sweetened beverage consumption in children in China

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0261199 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 16 (12) ◽

pp. e0261199

Author(s):

Haijun Guo ◽

Dung Phung ◽

Cordia Chu

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Low Income ◽

Fast Food ◽

Policy Development ◽

Associated Factors ◽

Parental Education ◽

Current Trend ◽

Parental Factors ◽

Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽

Sweetened Beverage

Objective Evidence shows sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is a risk factor for obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in children. Investigating the influential profiles, which have been examined insufficiently, will help to inform the reduction of SSB consumption. The present research examines the current trend in SSB consumption and associated factors among children in China, in order to inform policy development. Methods Secondary data was extracted from China’s Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS; 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2011), a repeated cross-sectional research, and a Chi-squared test was applied to compare SSB consumption in the last year, queried by social demographical, `environmental, behavioral, and parental factors. Multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression was employed to examine the trend and effects of the multiple factors. Results A total of 6015 Chinese children aged 6–17 years were investigated. From 2004 to 2011, the percentage of SSB consumption in children increased from 72.6% to 90.3%. The prevalence in urban areas was higher than the prevalence in rural areas, higher in high schools than primary and middle schools, higher in east coast affluent provinces than other provinces, and higher in high-income households than low-income households. Other associated factors include children’s fast food and salty snacks preference, level of physical activity, sedentariness, and parental education. The strongest association with SSB consumption in children was the mother’s SSB consumption (adjusted odds ratio: 5.54, 95% CI: 3.17–9.67). Conclusion Children’s SSB consumption has increased significantly in China, and is associated with socio-economic, demographic, level of physical activity, food preference, and parental factors. Future strategies aimed at reducing SSB consumption among children need to consider these factors.

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