scholarly journals Assessing Legislative Interest for a Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax in a Midwestern State

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Murray ◽  
Colleen Loo-Gross ◽  
Mary Pham ◽  
Sonja Armbruster ◽  
Kelly Konda ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: This study sought to ascertain the opinions of members of the Kansas Legislature regarding pending sugar-sweetened beverage taxation legislation, including perceptions that such a tax would generate revenue or be associated with personal sugar-sweetened beverage consumption habits. METHODS: This study utilized a cross-sectional survey design and was conducted by administering an electronic or telephone survey of the 2010-2011 Kansas Legislature. Publicly-listed contact information for the 165 members in both chambers of the 2010-2011 Kansas Legislature was obtained. State legislators were invited via e-mail, telephone, or both to complete the survey. The main outcome measure was the degree of agreement or disagreement with the idea of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. RESULTS: Seventy-eight legislators (47.3%) responded. Of these, 90.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages, and 86.5% disagreed or strongly disagreed with taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages if generated funds were set aside to subsidize healthy choices. Party affiliation, geographic area represented, and personal consumption of sugar-sweetened behaviors were not associated significantly with legislators’ opinions of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of respondents in the Kansas Legislature reported opposing a sugar-sweetened beverage tax. While some respondents identified obesity as a problem, taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages was not a favorable option among Kansas legislators.

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hunt Allcott ◽  
Benjamin B. Lockwood ◽  
Dmitry Taubinsky

Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages are growing in popularity and have generated an active public debate. Are they a good idea? If so, how high should they be? Are such taxes regressive? People in the United States and some other countries consume remarkable quantities of sugar-sweetened beverages, and the evidence suggests that this generates significant health costs. Building on recent work, we review the basic economic principles that determine the socially optimal sugar-sweetened beverage tax. The optimal tax depends on (1) externalities, or uninternalized health system costs from diseases caused by sugary drink consumption; (2) internalities, or costs consumers impose on themselves by consuming too many sugary drinks due to poor nutrition knowledge and/or lack of self-control; and (3) regressivity, or how much the financial burden and the internality benefits from the tax fall on the poor. We summarize the empirical evidence about the key parameters that determine how large the tax should be. Our calculations suggest that sugar-sweetened beverage taxes are welfare enhancing and indeed that the optimal sugar-sweetened beverage tax rate may be higher than the 1 cent per ounce rate most commonly used in US cities. We end with seven concrete suggestions for policymakers considering a sugar-sweetened beverage tax.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Erika R Cheng ◽  
Elizabeth Batista ◽  
Ling Chen ◽  
Kelsey Nichols ◽  
Sohyun Park ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To describe prenatal and postpartum consumption of water, cows’ milk, 100 % juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) among women enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) programme in New York City (NYC) and to identify correlates of SSB intake in this population. Design: Cross-sectional data were collected from structured questionnaires that included validated beverage frequency questionnaires with the assistance of container samples. The association of maternal and household factors and non-SSB consumption with habitual daily energetic (kJ (kcal)) intake from SSB was assessed by using multivariable median regression. Setting: WIC programme in NYC, NY. Data were collected in 2017. Participants: 388 pregnant or postpartum women (infant aged <2 years) from the NYC First 1000 Days Study. Results: Median age was 28 years (interquartile range (IQR) 24–34); 94·1 % were Hispanic/Latina, and 31·4 % were pregnant. Overall, 87·7 % of pregnant and 89·1% of postpartum women consumed SSB ≥ once weekly, contributing to a median daily energetic intake of 410 kJ (98 kcal) (IQR (113–904 kJ) 27–216) and 464 kJ (111 kcal) (IQR (163–1013 kJ) 39–242), respectively. In adjusted analyses, only consumption of 100 % juice was associated with greater median energetic intake from SSB (adjusted β for each additional ounce = 13; 95% CI 8, 31 (3·2; 95 % CI 2·0, 7·3). Conclusions: Among pregnant and postpartum women in WIC-enrolled families, interventions to reduce SSB consumption should include reduction of 100 % juice consumption as a co-target of the intervention.


2021 ◽  

Sugar-sweetened beverage excise taxes are an effective evidence-based noncommunicable diseases (NCD) prevention policy. Along with tobacco and alcohol excise taxes, they are a tool to attain the Sustainable Development Goals, and are recommended by the World Health Organization to modify behavioral risk factors associated with obesity and NCDs, as featured in the WHO Global Action Plan. Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages have been described as a triple win for governments, because they 1) improve population health, 2) generate revenue, and 3) have the potential to reduce long-term associated healthcare costs and productivity losses. Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages has been implemented in more than 73 countries worldwide. In the Region of the Americas, 21 PAHO/WHO Member States apply national-level excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and seven jurisdictions apply local sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in the United States of America. While the number of countries applying national excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages in the Region is promising, most of these taxes could be further leveraged to improve their impact on sugar-sweetened beverages consumption and health. This publication provides economic concepts related to the economic rationale for using sugar-sweetened beverage taxes and the costs associated with obesity; key considerations on tax design including tax types, bases, and rates; an overview of potential tax revenue and earmarking; evidence on the extent to which these taxes are expected to impact prices of taxed beverages, the demand for taxed beverages, and substitution to untaxed beverages; and responses to frequent questions about the economic impacts of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (18) ◽  
pp. 2016-2023
Author(s):  
So-Yun Yi ◽  
Lyn M Steffen ◽  
James G Terry ◽  
David R Jacobs ◽  
Daniel Duprez ◽  
...  

Aim The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships of pericardial adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue volume with added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage intakes. We hypothesized that both added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages were positively associated with pericardial adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue volumes in black and white men and women enrolled in the prospective Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults study. Methods and results Dietary intake was assessed by diet history at baseline, year 7 and year 20 examinations in 3070 participants aged 18-30 and generally healthy at baseline. After 25 years follow-up, participants underwent a computed tomography scan of chest and abdomen; the computed tomography scans were read, and pericardial adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes were calculated. Quintiles were created for the average of baseline, year 7 and year 20 added sugar and for the average of sugar-sweetened beverages. General linear regression analysis evaluated the associations of pericardial adipose tissue and visceral adipose tissue volumes across quintiles of added sugar and across quintiles of sugar-sweetened beverage intakes adjusted for potential confounding factors. In a multivariable model, pericardial adipose tissue volume was higher across increasing quintiles of added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage intakes ( ptrend = 0.001 and ptrend < 0.001, respectively). A similar relation was observed for visceral adipose tissue ( ptrend < 0.001 for both added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages). Conclusions Long-term intakes of added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages were associated with higher pericardial adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue, and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes. Because these ectopic fat depots are associated with greater risk of disease incidence, these findings support limiting intakes of added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages.


Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2674 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arrigo F.G. Cicero ◽  
Federica Fogacci ◽  
Giovambattista Desideri ◽  
Elisa Grandi ◽  
Elisabetta Rizzoli ◽  
...  

Introduction: There is conflicting information linking fruit and fructose intake with cardiometabolic disorders. The main objective of our study was to evaluate the association between intake of fruits and sugar-sweetened beverages, and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), a non-invasive marker of arterial aging, in a large population sample. Methods: For this study, we selected four age and sex-matched subgroups from the last Brisighella Heart Study population survey, after exclusion of those in secondary prevention for cardiovascular diseases, affected by gout and moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease (defined as eGFR < 60 mL/min), and/or actively treated with direct vasodilating drugs (calcium-antagonists, alpha-blockers, nitrates). The remaining subjects were classified into four groups: (1) low fruit and low sugar-sweetened beverage intake (LFLB), (2) high fruit and low sugar-sweetened beverage intake (HFLB), (3) low fruit and high sugar-sweetened beverage intake (LFHB), (4) high fruit and high sugar-sweetened beverage intake (HFHB). Results: CfPWV was significantly elevated in subjects consuming a higher fructose load, particularly when it was derived from industrially sweetened beverages (pooled LFHB & HFHB: 9.6 ± 2.3 m/s; pooled LFLB & HFLB: 8.6 ± 2.3 m/s, p < 0.001). Moreover, the main predictors of cfPWV values were serum uric acid (B = 0.391, 95%CI 0.321–0.486, p = 0.001), fructose load from both fruits and sugar-sweetened beverages (B = 0.310, 95%CI 0.099–0.522, p = 0.004), triglycerides (B = 0.228, 95%CI 0.117–0.389, p = 0.018), fasting plasma glucose (B = 0.015, 95%CI 0.008–0.022, p < 0.001) and estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (B = −0.043, 95%CI −0.052–−0.035, p < 0.001). Conclusion: our data suggest that increased intake of fructose derived from industrial sweetened beverages, though not from fruits, is associated with higher pulse wave velocity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 1409-1416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy Bleakley ◽  
Amy Jordan ◽  
Giridhar Mallya ◽  
Michael Hennessy ◽  
Jessica Taylor Piotrowski

Objective: This study evaluates a citywide media campaign that targeted reducing sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption as a strategy for addressing obesity. Design: Rolling cross-sectional survey data, collected before and during the media campaign, with 1367 parents to assess exposure to and effect of a televised public service advertisement (TV PSA) developed using a reasoned action approach. Setting: Televised public service advertisement campaign created by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health and disseminated on cable television channels within the Philadelphia market. Participants: Philadelphia parents/primary caregivers with a child between the ages of 3 and 16. Results: Linear regression analysis shows that exposure to the TV PSA was significantly associated with intention to substitute nonsugary drinks for SSBs for the parent ( P = .04) and the child ( P = .02). The effect of exposure on intention to reduce child’s SSB consumption increased the longer the campaign was in the field. Exposure was also significantly associated with the belief that reducing SSB consumption decreases the risk of diabetes ( P = .04) and was significantly negatively related to the belief that reducing SSB consumption would make mealtimes less enjoyable ( P = .04). Conclusion: These findings suggest that a theory-based mass media campaign can achieve positive changes in intention related to SSB consumption by changing relevant and salient underlying beliefs.


2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea E. Bombak ◽  
Taylor E. Colotti ◽  
Dolapo Raji ◽  
Natalie D. Riediger

Abstract Background While policies to address “obesity” have existed for decades, they have commonly focused on behavioral interventions. More recently, the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages is gaining traction globally. This study sought to explore individuals’ attitudes and beliefs about sugar-sweetened beverages being taxed in a rural Michigan setting. Methods This qualitative study was conducted using critical policy analysis. Data were collected in 25 semi-structured, audio-recorded interviews with adult Michiganders. Following data collection, transcripts were coded into themes using NVivo software. Results Four themes emerged in participants’ perspectives regarding sugar-sweetened beverages being taxed: resistance, unfamiliarity, tax effects, and need for education. While some participants were unfamiliar with sugar-sweetened beverage taxes, many viewed taxation as a “slippery slope” of government intervention, which invoked feelings of mistrust. In addition, participants predicted a sugar-sweetened beverage tax would be ineffective at reducing intake, particularly among regular consumers, who were frequently perceived as mostly low income and/or of higher weight. Conclusions Further research is needed to explore perceptions of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes in different geographic areas in the USA to examine how perceptions vary. Policymakers should be aware of the potential implications of this health policy with respect to government trust and stigma towards lower income and higher-weight individuals.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 3403
Author(s):  
Nan Qiu ◽  
Justin B. Moore ◽  
Yechuang Wang ◽  
Jialin Fu ◽  
Kai Ding ◽  
...  

This study aimed to use path analysis to determine the association between perceived parental attitudes toward restricting junk food (JF)/sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and JF/SSB consumption among Chinese adolescents, and whether JF/SSB availability in the home environment and autonomous motivation of adolescents mediated the association. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using questionnaires adapted from the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) Study to collect data on 3819 participants with an average age of 14.7 years (SD = 1.7). Spearman correlations and path analysis were performed. It was found that perceived parental attitudes were not directly associated with adolescents’ JF/SSB consumption frequency, but indirectly related to them through JF/SSB availability in the home environment and autonomous motivation of adolescents. When parents held a less positive attitude toward JF/SSB consumption and kept less JFs/SSBs at home, youth displayed more autonomous motivation for restricting JF/SSB intake and consumed fewer JFs/SSBs.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Joost ◽  
David De Ridder ◽  
Pedro Marques-Vidal ◽  
Beatrice Bacchilega ◽  
Jean-Marc Theler ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveTo identify populations and areas presenting higher consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and their overlap with populations and areas presenting higher body mass index (BMI).DesignCross-sectional population-based study.SettingState of Geneva, Switzerland.Participants15,767 non-institutionalized residents aged between 35 and 74 years (20 and 74 since 2011) of the state of Geneva, Switzerland.Main outcome measuresSpatial indices of sugar-sweetened beverage intake frequency and body mass index. Median regression analysis was used to control for characteristics of patients.ResultsThe SSB intake frequency and the BMI were not randomly distributed across the state. Among the 15,423 participants retained for the analyses, 2,034 (13.2%) were within clusters of high SSB intake frequency and 1,651 (10.7%) was within clusters of low SSB intake frequency, 11,738 (76.1%) showed no spatial dependence. We also identified clusters of BMI, 4,014 (26.0%) participants were within clusters of high BMI and 3,591 (23.3%) were within clusters of low BMI, 7,818 (50.7%) showed no spatial dependence. We found that clusters of SSB intake frequency and BMI overlap in specific areas. 1,719 (11.1%) participants were within high SSB intake frequency and high BMI clusters. After adjustment for covariates (education level, gender, age, nationality, and the median income of the area), the identified clusters persisted and were only slightly attenuated.ConclusionA fine-scale spatial approach allows identifying specific populations and areas presenting higher SSB consumption and, for some areas, higher SSB consumption associated with higher BMI. These findings could guide legislators to develop targeted interventions such as prevention campaigns and pave the way for precision public health.What is already known on this topicThe consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is an important contributory factor of obesity and obesity-related diseases.SSB consumption varies according to socioeconomic status, which could explain the higher prevalence of obesity in specific areas.SSB taxation faces resistance in many countries due to its potential regressive nature.What this study addsThe spatial analysis of individual-level SSB consumption in the state of Geneva provides a clear identification of populations and areas presenting higher SSB consumption and, for some areas, higher SSB consumption along with higher body mass index (BMI).The results demonstrate the persistence of SSB clustering in the geographic space after adjusting for education level, gender, nationality, age, and neighborhood-level median income.The findings provide guidance for future public health interventions to reduce SSB consumption by better targeting vulnerable populations.


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