AMERICANS PLAN TO TAX SOFT DRINKS AND PIZZA TO LOWER OBESITY
The University Of Carolina at Chapel Hill has published a study which has reviewed the diets of 5,000 adults during the period 1985 to 2006. Their conclusion is that a tax on soft drinks and pizza would reduce caloric intake sufficient to lower the average weight in the US by 5 lbs per year.
The document was published in The Journal Archives Of Internal Medicine yesterday and suggested that the US would save $147 bn a year in health costs.
The team was led by Kiyah Duffey who said
“While such policies will not solve the obesity epidemic in its entirety and may face considerable opposition from food manufacturers and sellers, they could prove an important strategy to address overconsumption, help reduce energy intake and potentially aid in weight loss and reduced rates of diabetes among U.S. adults,”
An estimated 66 per cent of Americans are overweight and the government are seriously lookng at taxation as a way of helping with the problem.
We are told that Philadelphia and California have already introduced taxes and we understand that the American Heart Association believes that this is already changing consumption patterns.
The team estimates that an 18 percent tax on these foods could cut daily intake by 56 calories per person, resulting in a weight loss of 5 pounds (2 kg) per person per year.
Duffy continued.
“Our findings suggest that national, state or local policies to alter the price of less healthful foods and beverages may be one possible mechanism for steering U.S. adults toward a more healthful diet,”
The San Francisco department of Public Health said that taxation is an approriate way to edit choices for consumers if they have a struggle taking the healthy option.
There is also criticism of the US subsidy programmes for foods which add to the problem. Corn syrup subsidies are cited. The argument is that subsidies should be applied to locally grown healthier options such as vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Related posts:
- Seaweed salt alternative hailed
- JENNY CRAIG DIETING LAUNCHES IN UK
- New bread for weight-conscious sandwich lovers
- DRINKING VEGETABLE JUICE MAY HELP WITH METABOLIC SUNDROME
- NEW ALPRO SOYA PLUS DRINKS TO HELP LOWER CHOLESTEROL
- Research finds new benefits of almonds
- MINTEL REPORTS THAT AMERICANS LOVE ETHNIC FOOD
- AMERICAN SCIENTISTS SAY A FULL MONTE IS NOW THE HEALTHIEST BREAKFAST OF ALL
