Sugar Content in Sugar-Sweetened Beverages in the Aftermath of Thailand’s Sugar Tax: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 552-559
Keyword(s):  
Soft Drink ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Fermented Milk ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Packaging ◽  
Tax Rate ◽  
Taxation Policy ◽  
Sweetened Beverages

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

scholarly journals Sugar and energy content of carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages in Haidian District, Beijing: a cross-sectional study

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e022048 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizi Lin ◽  
Chenxiong Li ◽  
Chuyao Jin ◽  
Yuanzhou Peng ◽  
Kawther M Hashem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Content ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Free Sugar ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugar Intake ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Beijing China ◽  
Serving Size

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.

scholarly journals Characteristics of the School Food Environment Affect the Consumption of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Among Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luana Lara Rocha ◽  
Milene Cristine Pessoa ◽  
Lúcia Helena Almeida Gratão ◽  
Ariene Silva do Carmo ◽  
Nayhanne Gomes Cordeiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Private Schools ◽  
Food Environment ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
School Food ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Street Vendors ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
School Food Environment

Sugar-sweetened beverages are widely available and accessible in school environment, and their presence and characteristics of this environment can influence their consumption. This study examines the association of drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors and sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents in Brazil. This cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Study of Cardiovascular Risk in Adolescents that was conducted between March 2013 and December 2014. The sample comprised 71,475 adolescents aged 12–17 years from 1,247 public and private schools in Brazilian cities. Sugar-sweetened beverages consumption was the dependent variable. The main effect was the school food environment, which was evaluated based on drinking fountains per 100 students, soft drink sales, soft drink advertising, and the presence of street vendors. Public and private schools that sold soft drinks were associated with higher average sugar-sweetened beverages consumption among adolescents. Our study highlights the importance of creating healthy school food environments by banning sugar-sweetened beverages in schools accordingly.

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 ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survey Design ◽  
Geographic Area ◽  
Party Affiliation ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverage ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Personal Consumption

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Full Time ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity

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.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional survey of the amount of free sugars and calories in carbonated sugar-sweetened beverages on sale in the UK

BMJ Open ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (11) ◽  
pp. e010874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawther M Hashem ◽  
Feng J He ◽  
Katharine H Jenner ◽  
Graham A MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Free Sugars ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
The Uk

scholarly journals Cross-Sectional Survey of the Amount of Sugar and Energy in Chocolate Confectionery on Sold in the UK in 1992 and 2017

Nutrients ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1798 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawther M. Hashem ◽  
Feng J. He ◽  
Sarah A. Alderton ◽  
Graham A. MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Energy Content ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Packaging ◽  
Sugar Levels ◽  
The Uk

The study aimed to compare the sugar (1992, 2017) and energy (2017) content of chocolate confectionery available in the UK between 1992 and 2017 using cross-sectional surveys. All major UK retailers operating at the time were included. Sugar content in 1992 was obtained from a booklet and sugar and energy content from 2017 were collected from product packaging in-store. In 1992, the average sugar content of chocolate confectionery was 46.6 ± 10.3 g/100 g and in 2017 it was 47.3 ± 12.1 g/100 g. Sugar content ranged from 0.5 to 75.2 g/100g, with large variations between different categories of chocolate and within the same category of chocolate. There were 23 products found in both 1992 and 2017. The average sugar content per 100 g for these products was 44.6 ± 9.4 g in 1992 and 54.7 ± 6.3 g in 2017, representing a 23% increase in sugar content (p < 0.001). The results show that the sugar content of chocolate confectionery has increased since 1992, which is concerning. However, they also suggest sugar levels can be reduced because (a) lower sugar versions of the same products existed in 1992 and (b) there is a large variation in sugar and energy content between different categories of chocolate and within the same category in 2017.

scholarly journals Cross-sectional survey of the amount of sugar and energy in cakes and biscuits on sale in the UK for the evaluation of the sugar-reduction programme

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. e019075 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kawther M Hashem ◽  
Feng J He ◽  
Sarah A Alderton ◽  
Graham A MacGregor
Keyword(s):  
Energy Content ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Packaging ◽  
Nutrition Labelling ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sugar Reduction ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Future Evaluation

ObjectivesTo investigate the variation in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits available in the UK.DesignWe carried out a cross-sectional survey in 2016 of 381 cakes and 481 biscuits available in nine main UK supermarkets.MethodsThe sugar and energy content was collected from product packaging and nutrition labelling of cake and biscuit products.ResultsThe average sugar content in cakes and biscuits was 36.6±7.6 and 30.0±9.2 g/100 g, respectively. The mean energy content was 406±37 for cakes and 484±38 kcal/100 g for biscuits. There was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. 97% of cakes and 74% of biscuits would receive a ‘red’ (high) label for sugar.ConclusionsThis research makes available baseline data of the cakes and biscuits market in the UK for future evaluation of the recently launched sugar-reduction programme. The study showed that reductions in sugar and energy content of cakes and biscuits are possible, since there was a large variation in sugar and energy content between different cake and biscuit categories and within the same category. A reduction in sugar and energy content, and overall cake and biscuit consumption, can help reduce overall sugar and energy intake in the UK and thus reduce the risk of obesity and dental caries.

scholarly journals Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Associated Factors among Northeastern Chinese Children

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2233
Author(s):  
Xuxiu Zhuang ◽  
Yang Liu ◽  
Joel Gittelsohn ◽  
Emma Lewis ◽  
Shenzhi Song ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Normal Weight ◽  
Chinese Children ◽  
Sugar Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Convenience Stores ◽  
Pocket Money ◽  
At Home

(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.

Seven-year trends in the availability, sugar content and serve size of single-serve non-alcoholic beverages in New Zealand: 2013–2019

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Teresa Gontijo de Castro ◽  
Helen Eyles ◽  
Cliona Ni Mhurchu ◽  
Leanne Young ◽  
Sally Mackay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Sugar Content ◽  
Food Composition ◽  
Soft Drinks ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Slight Reduction ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Sweetened Beverages ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
High Sugar Content

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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