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Burton R, Sharpe C, Bhuptani S, Jecks M, Henn C, Pearce-Smith N, Knight S, Regan M, Sheron N. The relationship between the price and demand of alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, sugar-sweetened beverages, and gambling: an umbrella review of systematic reviews. BMC Public Health 2024; 24:1286. [PMID: 38730332 PMCID: PMC11088175 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-024-18599-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The WHO highlight alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes as one of the most effective policies for preventing and reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. This umbrella review aimed to identify and summarise evidence from systematic reviews that report the relationship between price and demand or price and disease/death for alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, and SSBs. Given the recent recognition as gambling as a public health problem, we also included gambling. METHODS The protocol for this umbrella review was pre-registered (PROSPERO CRD42023447429). Seven electronic databases were searched between 2000-2023. Eligible systematic reviews were those published in any country, including adults or children, and which quantitatively examined the relationship between alcohol, tobacco, gambling, unhealthy food, or SSB price/tax and demand (sales/consumption) or disease/death. Two researchers undertook screening, eligibility, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the ROBIS tool. RESULTS We identified 50 reviews from 5,185 records, of which 31 reported on unhealthy food or SSBs, nine reported on tobacco, nine on alcohol, and one on multiple outcomes (alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, and SSBs). We did not identify any reviews on gambling. Higher prices were consistently associated with lower demand, notwithstanding variation in the size of effect across commodities or populations. Reductions in demand were large enough to be considered meaningful for policy. CONCLUSIONS Increases in the price of alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food, and SSBs are consistently associated with decreases in demand. Moreover, increasing taxes can be expected to increase tax revenue. There may be potential in joining up approaches to taxation across the harm-causing commodities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robyn Burton
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England.
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health UK, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK.
| | - Casey Sharpe
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Saloni Bhuptani
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Mike Jecks
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Clive Henn
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Nicola Pearce-Smith
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf, London, England
| | - Sandy Knight
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Marguerite Regan
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
| | - Nick Sheron
- Department of Health and Social Care, Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, 39 Victoria Street, London, England
- The Roger Williams Institute of Hepatology, Kings College London, London, England
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Calabro R, Kemps E, Prichard I, Tiggemann M. Effects of traffic light labelling and increased healthy range on beverage choices from vending machines. Public Health Nutr 2024; 27:e113. [PMID: 38587000 PMCID: PMC11036432 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980024000843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To test whether traffic light labels and an increased range of healthy beverages, individually and in combination, can increase healthy beverage choices from vending machines. DESIGN Two studies (n 558, 420) tested whether the provision of traffic light labels (green, amber and red) and an increased range of healthy beverages (from 20 % to 50 % green options), individually and in combination, could increase healthy beverage choices from a digital vending machine display. The studies used a between-subjects experimental design, and a hypothetical beverage choice, a limitation when considering real-world applicability. SETTING Both studies utilised an online Qualtrics survey that featured a digital vending machine display. PARTICIPANTS Both studies (n 558, 420) consisted of university students from Flinders University and individuals from a survey recruitment service. RESULTS Featuring traffic lights did not significantly influence beverage choices (P = 0·074), while increasing the healthy range (P = 0·003, OR = 3·27), and the combination of both, did significantly increase healthier beverage choices (P < 0·001, OR = 4·83). CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that the traffic light system and increased healthy range are not maximally effective when used on their own, and benefit greatly when combined, to increase healthy beverage choices. It was suggested that the provision of traffic light labels supplied the necessary nutritional information, and the increased healthy range offered greater opportunity to act in accordance with that information. In so doing, the present findings offer a promising pathway for reducing unhealthy beverage consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Calabro
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Eva Kemps
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
| | - Ivanka Prichard
- Health & Exercise Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Marika Tiggemann
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA5001, Australia
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3
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Sassano M, Castagna C, Villani L, Quaranta G, Pastorino R, Ricciardi W, Boccia S. National taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages and its association with overweight, obesity, and diabetes. Am J Clin Nutr 2024; 119:990-1006. [PMID: 38569789 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to several adverse health outcomes, thus many countries introduced taxation to reduce it. OBJECTIVES To summarize national SSB taxation laws and to assess their association with obesity, overweight and diabetes. METHODS We conducted a systematic scoping review up to January 2022 on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Google Search to identify taxes on SSBs. An interrupted time series analysis (ITSA) was conducted on 17 countries with taxation implemented in 2013 or before to evaluate the level and slope modifications in the rate of change of standardized prevalence rates of overweight, obesity, and diabetes. Random-effects meta-regression was used to assess whether year of entry into force of the law, national income, and tax design affected observed results. RESULTS We included 76 tax laws issued between 1940 and 2020 by 43 countries, which were heterogeneous in terms of tax design, amount, and taxed products. Among children and adolescents, ITSA showed level or slope reduction for prevalence of overweight and obesity in 5 (Brazil, Samoa, Palau, Panama, Tonga) and 6 (El Salvador, Uruguay, Nauru, Norway, Palau, Tonga) countries out of 17, respectively. No clear pattern of modification of results according to investigated factors emerged from the meta-regression analysis. CONCLUSIONS Taxation is highly heterogeneous across countries in terms of products and design, which might influence its effectiveness. Our findings provide some evidence regarding a deceleration of the increasing prevalence rates of overweight and obesity among children occurring in some countries following introduction of taxation. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021233309.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Sassano
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Carolina Castagna
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Leonardo Villani
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Quaranta
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Pastorino
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Walter Ricciardi
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Boccia
- Section of Hygiene, Department of Health Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy; Department of Women, Children and Public Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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Madela SLM, Harriman NW, Sewpaul R, Mbewu AD, Williams DR, Sifunda S, Manyaapelo T, Nyembezi A, Reddy SP. Area-level deprivation and individual-level socioeconomic correlates of the diabetes care cascade among black south africans in uMgungundlovu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293250. [PMID: 38079422 PMCID: PMC10712896 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
South Africa is experiencing a rapidly growing diabetes epidemic that threatens its healthcare system. Research on the determinants of diabetes in South Africa receives considerable attention due to the lifestyle changes accompanying South Africa's rapid urbanization since the fall of Apartheid. However, few studies have investigated how segments of the Black South African population, who continue to endure Apartheid's institutional discriminatory legacy, experience this transition. This paper explores the association between individual and area-level socioeconomic status and diabetes prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control within a sample of Black South Africans aged 45 years or older in three municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal. Cross-sectional data were collected on 3,685 participants from February 2017 to February 2018. Individual-level socioeconomic status was assessed with employment status and educational attainment. Area-level deprivation was measured using the most recent South African Multidimensional Poverty Index scores. Covariates included age, sex, BMI, and hypertension diagnosis. The prevalence of diabetes was 23% (n = 830). Of those, 769 were aware of their diagnosis, 629 were receiving treatment, and 404 had their diabetes controlled. Compared to those with no formal education, Black South Africans with some high school education had increased diabetes prevalence, and those who had completed high school had lower prevalence of treatment receipt. Employment status was negatively associated with diabetes prevalence. Black South Africans living in more deprived wards had lower diabetes prevalence, and those residing in wards that became more deprived from 2001 to 2011 had a higher prevalence diabetes, as well as diabetic control. Results from this study can assist policymakers and practitioners in identifying modifiable risk factors for diabetes among Black South Africans to intervene on. Potential community-based interventions include those focused on patient empowerment and linkages to care. Such interventions should act in concert with policy changes, such as expanding the existing sugar-sweetened beverage tax.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nigel Walsh Harriman
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ronel Sewpaul
- Human and Social Capabilities Division, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anthony David Mbewu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa
| | - David R Williams
- Social and Behavioral Sciences Department, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of African and American Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sibusiso Sifunda
- Human and Social Capabilities Division, Human Sciences Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | - Anam Nyembezi
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Robert RC, Penny ME, Barbagelatta G, Gainer SA. Feeding Homemade Sugar Sweetened Beverages in Addition to Breastfeeding: Survey Results from Caregivers of Infants and Young Children in Peri-Urban Lima, Peru. Matern Child Health J 2023; 27:2105-2112. [PMID: 37209377 DOI: 10.1007/s10995-023-03668-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) is associated with childhood obesity and other negative health conditions. Feeding SSB to infants and young children (IYC) under 2 years may displace consumption of breastmilk and nutrient rich foods critical for optimal growth and development. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends avoiding added sugar (e.g. SSB) for IYC under 2 years. We sought to describe the variety of homemade and commercial SSB as well as breastmilk and beverages without added sugar fed to IYC aged 4-23 months living in a low-income, populous peri-urban area of Lima, Peru. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 181 households with IYC aged 4-23 months. A list of common local homemade and commercial beverages was used to investigate what caregivers had fed to the child in the past 24 h. RESULTS A total of 93.9% of caregivers reported feeding at least one beverage to their child other than breastmilk in the past 24 h. This included a variety of homemade SSB (73.5%), commercial SSB (18.2%) and homemade beverages without added sugar (70.2%). A high percentage (83.4%) of children were also breastfed. CONCLUSIONS FOR PRACTICE Our findings suggest that interventions to address feeding homemade SSB to IYC within households are needed to support WHO recommendations and complement current commercial SSB policy regulations in Peru.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca C Robert
- Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. N.E, Washington, DC, USA.
- Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru.
| | - Mary E Penny
- Instituto de Investigación Nutricional, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Sally A Gainer
- Conway School of Nursing, The Catholic University of America, 620 Michigan Ave. N.E, Washington, DC, USA
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Silva P, Araújo R, Lopes F, Ray S. Nutrition and Food Literacy: Framing the Challenges to Health Communication. Nutrients 2023; 15:4708. [PMID: 38004102 PMCID: PMC10674981 DOI: 10.3390/nu15224708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutrition and food literacy are two important concepts that are often used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Nutrition refers to the study of how food affects the body, while food literacy refers to the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to make informed decisions about food and its impact on health. Despite the growing awareness of the importance of food literacy, food illiteracy remains a global issue, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. Food illiteracy has serious health implications as it contributes to health inequities, particularly among vulnerable populations. In addition, food literacy is a complex and multidisciplinary field, and there are numerous challenges to health communication that must be addressed to effectively promote food literacy and improve health outcomes. Addressing food illiteracy and the challenges to health communication is essential to promote health equity and improve health outcomes for all populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula Silva
- Laboratory of Histology and Embryology, Department of Microscopy, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto (U.Porto), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- iNOVA Media Lab, ICNOVA-NOVA Institute of Communication, NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, 1069-061 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Araújo
- Departamento de Artes e Humanidades, Escola Superior de Comunicação, Administração e Turismo, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Campus do Cruzeiro—Avenida 25 de Abril, Cruzeiro, Lote 2, Apartado 128, 5370-202 Mirandela, Portugal;
| | - Felisbela Lopes
- Centro de Estudos de Comunicação e Sociedade, Instituto de Ciências Sociais, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal;
| | - Sumantra Ray
- NNEdPro Global Institute for Food, Nutrition & Health, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK;
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University at Coleraine, Coleraine BT52 1SA, UK
- Fitzwilliam College, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0DG, UK
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7
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Venson AH, Cardoso LB, Santiago FS, de Souza KB, Bielemann RM. Price elasticity of demand for ready-to-drink sugar-sweetened beverages in Brazil. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0293413. [PMID: 37910576 PMCID: PMC10619800 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages is a policy that has been adopted in many countries worldwide, including Latin American, to reduce sugar consumption. However, little is known about how taxation on these products may affect their demand. The present study aims to estimate the price elasticity of demand for sugar-sweetened beverages in Brazil. This study advances the literature by proposing a breakdown between ready-to-drink sugar-sweetened beverages and sugar-sweetened beverages that require some preparation before being consumed. With this disaggregation, it is possible to obtain more accurate elasticities for the group of products that will be effectively taxed. We estimated a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System (QUAIDS) model using the Household Budget Survey 2017-2018 microdata. The results show that ready-to-drink beverages is more consumed but less sensitive to changes in price than prepared beverages. The price elasticity of demand for ready-to-drink and prepared sugar-sweetened beverages was -1.19 and -3.38. Additionally, we observe heterogeneity in these price elasticities across household incomes, with a more elastic demand among lower-income households for ready to drink beverages. The findings suggest that taxing ready-to-drink sweetened beverages could potentially reduce sugar consumption directly through a decrease in the consumption of sugary drinks and this effect could be reinforced by reducing the consumption of other sugar-rich products. Therefore, the taxation police should effective contribute to minimize health risks associated to the sugar consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Larissa Barbosa Cardoso
- Faculty of Administration, Accounting and Economic Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Flaviane Souza Santiago
- Faculty of Economics, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Boodai H, ElSalhy M, Alsumait A, Ariga J, Al-Sharbati M. The relationship between children's oral health behaviours and oral health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23:757. [PMID: 37833726 PMCID: PMC10576284 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding oral health behaviour s and their impact on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (OHRQoL) may serve as an instrument to articulate the conventional oral health policy framework, thereby ameliorating the overall health of young individuals in the long term. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between children's oral health behaviour s and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life in the capital governorate, Kuwait. METHODS A cross-sectional study involving 607 children aged 12-14 years, randomly selected from schools in Kuwait Capital Region. A validated Oral Health Behaviour s and OHRQoL Child Perception Questionnaires (CPQ12-14) was used to collect the data. Chi-square, t-tests, and ANOVA were used to examine the association between oral behaviour s and children's OHRQoL. RESULTS About 52.2% of participants were males and the overall response rate was 93.8%. The mean ± SD for total OHRQoL impact was 3.1 ± 0.58, while the total mean for individual domains- for oral symptoms, functional limitations, emotional well-being and social well-being were 2.89 ± 0.63, 2.89 ± 0.72, 3.1 ± 0.91 and 3.4 ± 0.61, respectively. There was no significant difference in total OHRQoL impact score by frequency of last dental visit, flossing, use of mouth rinse or chewing gum (p > 0.05) but for the overall OHRQoL, frequency of soft drink intake was the only significant predictor associated with 0.2-unit decrease (B = -0.207, 95% CI, p = 0.002) in total OHRQoL scores. CONCLUSIONS High frequency of soft drink consumption was related to poorer OHRQoL. Behaviour changing interventions based on OHRQoL inferences coupled with clinical intervention are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan Boodai
- School Oral Health, Dental Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - Mohamed ElSalhy
- College of Dental Medicine, University of New England, Portland, ME, USA
| | - Aishah Alsumait
- School Oral Health, Dental Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Jitendra Ariga
- School Oral Health, Dental Administration, Ministry of Health, Kuwait City, Kuwait
| | - Marwan Al-Sharbati
- Department of Social and Behaviour Al Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait
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Elliott LM, Waqa GD, Dalglish SL, Topp SM. A sweet deal for domestic industry: the political economy and framing of Vanuatu's sugar-sweetened beverage tax. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012025. [PMID: 37813448 PMCID: PMC10565185 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The Government of Vanuatu introduced an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in 2015. While lauded for its alignment with the WHO's Best Buys recommendations for addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), little is known about the tax's adoption process or whose interests it serves. METHODS Using case study methodology, this study examined how and why Vanuatu's SSB tax was introduced. Policy documents, key informant interviews (n=33) and direct observations were analysed using theories of policy analysis, power analysis and postcolonial theory to map the policy's adoption, surrounding political economy and the ideas, interests and institutions that shaped the tax and its framing. RESULTS The SSB tax emerged during a politically and economically unstable time in Vanuatu's history. The tax's links to the national health agenda were tenuous despite its ostensible framing as a way to combat NCDs. Rather, the tax was designed to respond to tightening economic and trade conditions. Spearheaded by several finance-focused bureaucrats, and with limited input from health personnel, the tax targeted less frequently consumed carbonated SSBs (which are mostly imported) without any revenue reinvestments into health. Driven by the desire to generate much-needed government revenue and instal domestic protections via selective implementation and carve-outs for local producers, the Vanuatu SSB tax did meet national objectives, just not the dual health and economic 'win-win' projected by the NCD Best Buys. CONCLUSION Vanuatu's SSB tax adoption process reveals the limitations of decontextualised policy recommendations, such as the NCD Best Buys, whose framing may be overcome by local political realities. This research highlights the need for further political economy considerations in global health recommendations, since contextual forces and power dynamics are key to shaping both how and why policies are enacted and also whose interest they serve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana M Elliott
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gade D Waqa
- Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (C-POND), Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National University, Suva, Fiji
| | - Sarah L Dalglish
- Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie M Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Reyes-García A, Junquera-Badilla I, Batis C, Colchero MA, Miranda JJ, Barrientos-Gutiérrez T, Basto-Abreu A. How Could Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Foods Help Reduce the Burden Of Type 2 Diabetes? Curr Diab Rep 2023; 23:265-275. [PMID: 37695402 DOI: 10.1007/s11892-023-01519-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Taxes on sugary drinks and foods have emerged as a key strategy to counteract the alarming levels of diabetes worldwide. Added sugar consumption from industrialized foods and beverages has been strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. This review provides a synthesis of evidence on how taxes on sugary products can influence the onset of type 2 diabetes, describing the importance of the different mechanisms through which the consumption of these products is reduced, leading to changes in weight and potentially a decrease in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS Observational studies have shown significant reductions in purchases, energy intake, and body weight after the implementation of taxes on sugary drinks or foods. Simulation studies based on the association between energy intake and type 2 diabetes estimated the potential long-term health and economic effects, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, suggesting that the implementation of sugary food and beverage taxes may have a meaningful impact on reducing type 2 diabetes and complications. Public health response to diabetes requires multi-faceted approaches from health and non-health actors to drive healthier societies. Population-wide strategies, such as added sugar taxes, highlight the potential benefits of financial incentives to address behaviors and protective factors to significantly change an individual's health trajectory and reduce the onset of type 2 diabetes worldwide, both in terms of economy and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Reyes-García
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Isabel Junquera-Badilla
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Carolina Batis
- CONACYT - Center for Health and Nutrition Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - M Arantxa Colchero
- Center for Health Systems Research, National Institute of Public Health, Cuernavaca, Mexico
| | - J Jaime Miranda
- Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Perú
| | - Tonatiuh Barrientos-Gutiérrez
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Ana Basto-Abreu
- Center for Population Health Research, National Institute of Public Health, Avenida Universidad 655, Santa María Ahuacatitlán, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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11
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Shen J, Wang J, Yang F, An R. Impact of soda tax on beverage price, sale, purchase, and consumption in the US: a systematic review and meta-analysis of natural experiments. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1126569. [PMID: 37808982 PMCID: PMC10556476 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1126569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background As a primary source of added sugars in the US diet, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is presumed to contribute to obesity prevalence and poor oral health. We systematically synthesized and quantified evidence from US-based natural experiments concerning the impact of SSB taxes on beverage prices, sales, purchases, and consumption. Methods A keyword and reference search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and EconLit from the inception of an electronic bibliographic database to Oct 31, 2022. Meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled effect of soda taxes on SSB consumption, prices, passthrough rate, and purchases. Results Twenty-six natural experiments, all adopting a difference-in-differences approach, were included. Studies assessed soda taxes in Berkeley, Oakland, and San Francisco in California, Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, Boulder in Colorado, Seattle in Washington, and Cook County in Illinois. Tax rates ranged from 1 to 2 ¢/oz. The imposition of the soda tax was associated with a 1.06 ¢/oz. (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.90, 1.22) increase in SSB prices and a 27.3% (95% CI = 19.3, 35.4%) decrease in SSB purchases. The soda tax passthrough rate was 79.7% (95% CI = 65.8, 93.6%). A 1 ¢/oz. increase in soda tax rate was associated with increased prices of SSBs by 0.84 ¢/oz (95% CI = 0.33, 1.35). Conclusion Soda taxes could be effective policy leverage to nudge people toward purchasing and consuming fewer SSBs. Future research should examine evidence-based classifications of SSBs, targeted use of revenues generated by taxes to reduce health and income disparities, and the feasibility of redesigning the soda tax to improve efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Shen
- Department of Physical Education, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- School of Kinesiology and Health Promotion, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Fan Yang
- School of Public Administration, Dongbei University of Finance and Economics, Dalian, Liaoning, China
| | - Ruopeng An
- Brown School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, United States
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Adu DT, Li W, Sawadgo WPM. Estimating the unintended impact of the North American free trade agreement on U.S. public health. Soc Sci Med 2023; 333:116140. [PMID: 37573675 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was introduced in 1994 between Canada, Mexico, and the United States to encourage trilateral trade. In 2008, an unrestricted reciprocal sugar trade agreement, was implemented between Mexico and the United States as part of NAFTA, which led to a significant decrease in the United States' sugar price. However, critics argue that free trade agreements that reduce trade barriers on products such as sugar threaten public health. This study uses the synthetic control method to investigate the causal impact of the unrestricted sugar trade agreement on sugar consumption and diabetes prevalence in the United States. First, we show that sugar consumption in the United States increased by an average of 16% annually after the agreement was signed, corresponding to 5240g per capita. Second, we show that the crude prevalence of diabetes increased by an average of 1% annually in the United States after the agreement was signed, with an increase of 1% and 2% for men and women, respectively. This unintended consequence of NAFTA has had an estimated economic cost of $324.37 million annually.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derick T Adu
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, USA.
| | - Wenying Li
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, USA.
| | - Wendiam P M Sawadgo
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Auburn University, USA
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13
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Houghton F, Moran Stritch J, Nwanze L. An examination of Ireland's sugar sweetened beverage tax (sugar tax) in practice. J Public Health (Oxf) 2023; 45:e551-e556. [PMID: 37340469 PMCID: PMC10470481 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the face of rising obesity levels, Ireland introduced a sugar sweetened beverage tax (SSBT) in 2018, the scope of which was extended in 2019. To date, there is a dearth of research on the actual impact of the SSBT on the pricing. METHOD This study involved an examination of the relative cost of leading brand full-sugar and sugar-free carbonated soft drinks in a convenience sample of 14 different Irish supermarkets. In light of manufacturers' reformulation of certain brands (7UP, Sprite and Fanta), information was collected on the relative in-store pricing of three brands (Coca Cola, Pepsi and Club). RESULTS In-store comparisons of equivalent size and unit number indicate that, in ~60% of cases, the full-sugar and sugar-free versions of the same drink are being offered at the same price. Even when full-sugar versions of these brands were more expensive than the sugar-free alternatives, the price differential was sometimes less than the SSBT rate. CONCLUSIONS The pass-through rate of the SSBT to consumers is sub-optimal. Future policy and research suggestions are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Houghton
- Technological University of the Shannon, Social Sciences ConneXions, Limerick, V94 EC5T, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Moran Stritch
- Technological University of the Shannon, Social Sciences ConneXions, Limerick, V94 EC5T, Ireland
| | - Loveth Nwanze
- School of Medicine, University of Limerick, Limerick, V94 T9PX, Ireland
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14
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Hajishafiee M, Kapellas K, Listl S, Pattamatta M, Gkekas A, Moynihan P. Effect of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation on sugars intake and dental caries: an umbrella review of a global perspective. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:986. [PMID: 37237341 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15884-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As part of the Global Strategy on Oral health, the World Health Organization (WHO) is exploring cost-effective interventions for oral health, including taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). To inform this process, this umbrella review aimed to identify the best available estimates pertaining to the impact of SSB taxation on the reduction of sugars intake, and the sugars-caries dose-response, such that estimates of the impact of SSB taxation on averting dental caries in both high (HIC) and low and middle (LMIC) countries be available. METHODS The questions addressed were: (1) what are the effects of SSB taxation on consumption of SSBs and (2) sugars? (3) What is the effect on caries of decreasing sugars? and (4) what is the likely impact of a 20% volumetric SSB tax on the number of active caries prevented over 10 years? Data sources included PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Dentistry and Oral Sciences Source, Cochrane Library, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Systematic Review Register, and PROSPERO. The review was conducted with reference to JBI guidelines. The quality of included systematic reviews was assessed using AMSTAR to identify best evidence. RESULTS From 419 systematic reviews identified for questions 1 & 2, and 103 for question 3, 48 (Questions 1 & 2) and 21 (Question 3) underwent full text screening, yielding 14 and five included reviews respectively. Best available data indicated a 10% tax would reduce SSB intake by 10.0% (95% CI: -5.0, 14.7%) in HIC and by 9% (range -6.0 to 12.0%) in LMIC, and that a 20% tax would reduce free sugars intake on average by 4.0 g/d in LMIC and 4.4 g/d in HIC. Based on best available dose response data, this could reduce the number of teeth with caries per adults (HIC and LMIC) by 0.03 and caries occurrence in children by 2.7% (LMIC) and 2.9% (HIC), over a 10-year period. CONCLUSION Best available data suggest a 20% volumetric SSB tax would have a modest impact on prevalence and severity of dental caries in both HIC and LMIC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kostas Kapellas
- Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Stefan Listl
- Department of Dentistry - Quality and Safety of Oral Health Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Madhuri Pattamatta
- Department of Dentistry - Quality and Safety of Oral Health Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Athanasios Gkekas
- York Trials Unit, Department of Health Sciences, University of York, York, UK
| | - Paula Moynihan
- Adelaide Dental School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
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15
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Singh A, Smith K, Hellowell M, Logo DD, Marten R, Suu K, Owusu-Dabo E. An exploration of stakeholder views and perceptions on taxing tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages in Ghana. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012054. [PMID: 37257939 PMCID: PMC10255295 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for nearly 43% of Ghana's all-cause mortality. Unhealthy commodities (such as alcohol, sugar and tobacco) are an important factor in the growing NCD burden in the region of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite health taxes on tobacco, alcohol and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) gaining renewed attention, adoption and implementation in SSA remain limited. This study aims to unpack the contextual politics and to examine current perceptions of opportunities and barriers for health taxes in Ghana. METHODS Semistructured qualitative interviews (n=19) conducted with purposively sampled stakeholders representing four sectors: government, civil society, media and international organisations, and two group interviews with nine industry stakeholders, informed by a review of relevant literature and policy/advocacy documents. RESULTS Stakeholders had a general belief that such taxes are primarily useful for revenue generation (for health spending) rather than for reducing consumption and improving health. There do appear to be opportunities for health taxes with stakeholders broadly supportive of taxing SSBs. This support could be strengthened via 'health' framing of any new tax proposals, the generation of Ghana-specific evidence about the potential impacts of such taxes and greater public awareness. Industry actors and some government representatives opposed health taxes, citing concerns about the potential to increase illicit trade and economic harm. Some stakeholders also believed that links between politicians and affected industries represent an important barrier. CONCLUSION These findings identify opportunities to introduce health taxes but also underline the potential resistance from affected industry stakeholders. Nevertheless, a strategic approach that focuses on achieving policy coherence (between central government, health and economic ministries), combined with efforts to strengthen stakeholder and public support, may weaken the lobbying position of industry. Such efforts could be supported by research to help demonstrate the value of different designs of health taxes for achieving Ghana's health goals and to better understand industry-political links.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arti Singh
- School of Public Health, KNUST, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Katherine Smith
- School of Social Work and Social Policy, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Mark Hellowell
- School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | | | - Robert Marten
- WHO Alliance for Health Policy and Systems Research, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Kaung Suu
- Alliance For Health Policy and System Research, Geneva, Switzerland
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16
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Barry LE, Kee F, Woodside J, Clarke M, Cawley J, Doherty E, Crealey GE, Duggan J, O'Neill C. An umbrella review of the effectiveness of fiscal and pricing policies on food and non-alcoholic beverages to improve health. Obes Rev 2023:e13570. [PMID: 37095626 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Poor quality diets represent major risk factors for the global burden of disease. Modeling studies indicate a potential for diet-related fiscal and pricing policies (FPs) to improve health. There is real-world evidence (RWE) that such policies can change behavior; however, the evidence regarding health is less clear. We conducted an umbrella review of the effectiveness of FPs on food and non-alcoholic beverages in influencing health or intermediate outcomes like consumption. We considered FPs applied to an entire population within a jurisdiction and included four systematic reviews in our final sample. Quality appraisal, an examination of excluded reviews, and a literature review of recent primary studies assessed the robustness of our results. Taxes and, to some extent, subsidies are effective in changing consumption of taxed/subsidized items; however, substitution is likely to occur. There is a lack of RWE supporting the effectiveness of FPs in improving health but this does not mean that they are ineffective. FPs may be important for improving health but their design is critical. Poorly designed FPs may fail to improve health and could reduce support for such policies or be used to support their repeal. More high-quality RWE on the impact of FPs on health is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke E Barry
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Frank Kee
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Jayne Woodside
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - Mike Clarke
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
| | - John Cawley
- Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Edel Doherty
- John E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Grainne E Crealey
- John E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Jim Duggan
- John E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Co. Galway, Ireland
| | - Ciaran O'Neill
- Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast, UK
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17
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Calabro R, Kemps E, Prichard I, Tiggemann M. Vending machine backgrounds: nudging healthier beverage choices. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37359624 PMCID: PMC9971671 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-023-04420-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Soft drink overconsumption is a growing public health concern. The present research investigated whether priming nudges could decrease soft drink choices from a vending machine. We compared the effect of six vending machine wraps (Mount Franklin ™ logo, Coca-Cola™ logo, picture of water, picture of soft drink, blue, red) on beverage choice against a black (control) computerised vending machine display. In two studies, young adult participants (17 - 25 years) were recruited from [removed for blind review] (Study 1, n = 142, Study 2, n = 232). Participants were randomly allocated to choose a beverage from one of the wrap conditions. They also rated how much the beverage was liked and how often it was consumed (Study 1), or rated the refreshing value, healthiness, taste, and energy of each beverage in the vending machine (Study 2). We predicted that wraps referencing water would produce healthier choices and those referencing soft drink would result in unhealthier choices. Contrary to these predictions, the type of vending machine wrap did not significantly influence beverage choice in Study 1. However, viewing the black vending machine wrap resulted in significantly more caffeine-based selections in Study 2. Other significant predictors of the choice of beverage were how often the beverages were consumed and how much they were liked (Study 1), as well as their perceptions of the taste, healthiness and refreshing value (Study 2). The finding that the black vending machine produced more caffeine-based beverage choices demonstrates, in principle, that color-based priming nudges could influence beverage choices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Calabro
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, SA 5001 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Eva Kemps
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, SA 5001 Adelaide, Australia
| | - Ivanka Prichard
- Health & Exercise Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Marika Tiggemann
- Psychology, College of Education, Psychology and Social Work, School of Psychology, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, SA 5001 Adelaide, Australia
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18
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Shakiba M, Iranparvar P, Jadidfard MP. The impact of sugar-sweetened beverages tax on oral health-related outcomes: a systematic review of the current evidence. Evid Based Dent 2022:10.1038/s41432-022-0830-1. [PMID: 36477678 DOI: 10.1038/s41432-022-0830-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Objective To provide a systematic overview of the impact of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on oral health-related outcomes.Data sources For this PRISMA-compliant review, we searched PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Central for relevant studies published from database inception to 27 August 2020.Data selection and extraction Two reviewers assessed the abstracts and then the full text of the studies. Primary studies that evaluated the impact of any kind of SSB tax on oral health-related outcomes (that is, decayed, missing and filled teeth, caries increment and dental treatment costs) were included.Data synthesis Of 503 search results, five studies met the inclusion criteria. All five were modelling studies, from which four studies predicted an SSB tax to have a positive impact on oral health-related outcomes, whereas one study in a developing country did not find an SSB tax to be solely successful. According to three studies, the younger population and men are likely to benefit the most from such a tax. One study demonstrated the benefits of an SSB tax to be potentially more significant among low-income individuals.Conclusion While no empirical studies are available to support the benefits of an SSB tax, the studies covered in this review altogether anticipate a positive impact. Furthermore, this review discusses some of the obstacles and limitations of implementing such a tax predicted by the included studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shakiba
- School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Cochrane Iran Associate Centre, National Institute for Medical Research Development, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouria Iranparvar
- Cochrane Iran Associate Centre, National Institute for Medical Research Development, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Pooyan Jadidfard
- Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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Minja NW, Nakagaayi D, Aliku T, Zhang W, Ssinabulya I, Nabaale J, Amutuhaire W, de Loizaga SR, Ndagire E, Rwebembera J, Okello E, Kayima J. Cardiovascular diseases in Africa in the twenty-first century: Gaps and priorities going forward. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 9:1008335. [PMID: 36440012 PMCID: PMC9686438 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1008335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2015, the United Nations set important targets to reduce premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) deaths by 33% by 2030. Africa disproportionately bears the brunt of CVD burden and has one of the highest risks of dying from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide. There is currently an epidemiological transition on the continent, where NCDs is projected to outpace communicable diseases within the current decade. Unchecked increases in CVD risk factors have contributed to the growing burden of three major CVDs-hypertension, cardiomyopathies, and atherosclerotic diseases- leading to devastating rates of stroke and heart failure. The highest age standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) due to hypertensive heart disease (HHD) were recorded in Africa. The contributory causes of heart failure are changing-whilst HHD and cardiomyopathies still dominate, ischemic heart disease is rapidly becoming a significant contributor, whilst rheumatic heart disease (RHD) has shown a gradual decline. In a continent where health systems are traditionally geared toward addressing communicable diseases, several gaps exist to adequately meet the growing demand imposed by CVDs. Among these, high-quality research to inform interventions, underfunded health systems with high out-of-pocket costs, limited accessibility and affordability of essential medicines, CVD preventive services, and skill shortages. Overall, the African continent progress toward a third reduction in premature mortality come 2030 is lagging behind. More can be done in the arena of effective policy implementation for risk factor reduction and CVD prevention, increasing health financing and focusing on strengthening primary health care services for prevention and treatment of CVDs, whilst ensuring availability and affordability of quality medicines. Further, investing in systematic country data collection and research outputs will improve the accuracy of the burden of disease data and inform policy adoption on interventions. This review summarizes the current CVD burden, important gaps in cardiovascular medicine in Africa, and further highlights priority areas where efforts could be intensified in the next decade with potential to improve the current rate of progress toward achieving a 33% reduction in CVD mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema W. Minja
- Rheumatic Heart Disease Research Collaborative, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute (KCRI), Moshi, Tanzania
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Doreen Nakagaayi
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Twalib Aliku
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Wanzhu Zhang
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Isaac Ssinabulya
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Juliet Nabaale
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Willington Amutuhaire
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Sarah R. de Loizaga
- Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, United States
| | - Emma Ndagire
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Emmy Okello
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - James Kayima
- Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda
- Department of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
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Koen N, Ebrahim Z, Louisa Marais M, Nel D, Smit Y. Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages in South Africa: Perspectives of consumers in Cape Town. J Public Health Res 2022; 11:22799036221129369. [PMID: 36310822 PMCID: PMC9597050 DOI: 10.1177/22799036221129369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Globally, fiscal measures are deemed effective in combating the obesity epidemic at population level. A health promotional levy (HPL) on sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) was implemented in April 2018 in South Africa to reduce sugar consumption. DESIGN AND METHODS This cross-sectional, descriptive study investigated consumers' understanding and opinion of the HPL, and impact on consumption of SSBs. Data was collected outside 15 grocery stores, within four health sub-districts of the City of Cape Town. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed with literate, adult consumers (N = 696). RESULTS Participants (46.0%) were aware of the HPL but regarded it insufficient to change purchasing behaviour (55.4%). The lower income group (56.4%) was most affected by the increased price of SSBs. Those who agreed (46.8%) that the levy would help to reduce the prevalence of obesity was significantly more likely to notice a price increase in SSBs (54.5%) (p < 0.01) and had a higher education level (p < 0.01). Overall, self-reported consumption of SSBs decreased by 7.7% since the HPL was enacted. Participants who were aware of the detrimental effect of consuming large amounts of sugar, were more likely to change their behaviour (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Participants were receptive for legislative measures to combat the prevalence of obesity but lacked clarity of the goal and implementation of the HPL. A multipronged approach is crucial to lower sugar intake sustainably and an environment which offers healthy alternatives to SSBs. A higher HPL combined with transparency of how revenue is utilised could enhance the impact of the sugar tax strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelene Koen
- Division of Human Nutrition, Department
of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Cape Town, South Africa,Nelene Koen, Division of Human Nutrition,
Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
Stellenbosch University, PO Box 241, Cape Town 8000, South Africa.
| | - Zarina Ebrahim
- Division of Human Nutrition, Department
of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Maritha Louisa Marais
- Division of Human Nutrition, Department
of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Daan Nel
- Centre for Statistical Consultation,
Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Yolande Smit
- Division of Human Nutrition, Department
of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University,
Cape Town, South Africa
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Trübswasser U, Candel J, Genye T, Bossuyt A, Holdsworth M, Baye K, Talsma E. Benchmarking policy goals and actions for healthy food environments in Ethiopia to prevent malnutrition in all its forms using document analysis. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e058480. [PMID: 35985782 PMCID: PMC9396152 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unhealthy diets resulting in overweight and obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases are of increasing concern in Ethiopia, alongside persistent undernutrition, and have been linked to unhealthy food environments. Little is known about the policy response to unhealthy food environments in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to assess how different food environment domains have been addressed in Ethiopian policy goals and action over time and how this compares with global good practice benchmarks. SETTING Ethiopia. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES We analysed intentions and plans of the government to act, using policy documents (outputs of decision-making in the form of published strategies, plans or policies) related to improving diets and nutritional status through healthy food environments in Ethiopia between 2008 and 2020. Our coding framework was guided by the policy component (n=7 domains) of the Healthy Food-Environment Policy Index, which was modified to include food quality and safety as an eighth domain. RESULTS From the 127 policy outputs identified, 38 were retained, published by 9 different government ministries and institutions. Our results show that eight food environment domains have been addressed to some extent, but gaps remain compared with global best practice, especially in food promotion, processing, retail, price and trade. From 2018, policy began to embrace the wider food system, with more explicit food environment interventions becoming apparent. CONCLUSIONS Policy efforts achieved in food safety, food processing, marketing and labelling are important stepping stones to building future policy actions addressing the food environment domains of food retail, food provision and food trade. Benchmarking of food environment policy actions should also consider actions on food fortification, agro-processing and informal markets in the context of multiple forms of malnutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula Trübswasser
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group Global Nutrition, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Candel
- Public Administration and Policy Group, Department of Social Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tirsit Genye
- Ethiopia NIPN Technical Assistance Project (ENTAP), International Food Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Anne Bossuyt
- Ethiopia NIPN Technical Assistance Project (ENTAP), International Food Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Michelle Holdsworth
- UMR MoISA (Montpellier Interdisciplinary Center on Sustainable Agri-Food Systems), (Univ. Montpellier, CIRAD, CIHEAM-IAMM, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
| | - Kaleab Baye
- Center for Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Elise Talsma
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group Global Nutrition, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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John RM, Tullu FT, Gupta R. Price elasticity and affordability of aerated or sugar-sweetened beverages in India: implications for taxation. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:1372. [PMID: 35842635 PMCID: PMC9288730 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-13736-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sale of aerated or sugar-sweetened beverages (ASBs) has been consistently growing in India which has also experienced a major increase in non-communicable diseases. This study estimates the price elasticities of ASBs by different household-income groups in India and examine the trends in their affordability. METHODS The price elasticity for ASBs were estimated using a nationally representative household sample survey on consumption of ASBs in India and with Deaton's method which is robust to self-reported household expenditure surveys. Trends in affordability of ASBs were estimated using relative income price (RIP) which measured the proportion of per capita gross domestic product (GDP) required to purchase 100 L of ASBs in a given year. The elasticity parameters were used to estimate the incremental tax needed for a 10% reduction in ASB consumption. RESULTS The own-price elasticity of ASBs is - 0.94 in the overall sample and varied between - 1.04 to - 0.83 from low- to high-income households. There has been an annual average decline of about 6.8% in RIP of ASBs or an increase in their affordability over the last 13 years. Increasing the compensation cess on ASBs under the current Goods and Services Tax (GST) to 29%, will have the effect of decreasing ASB consumption by 10% and increasing the tax revenue by about 27%. CONCLUSION The taxation policy on ASBs in India has largely been ineffective at increasing the real retail prices of ASBs as a result of which ASB consumption grew. ASBs should be classified along with other unhealthy products like tobacco and alcohol as demerit products for the purpose of taxation and their taxes should be regularly increased sufficiently enough to compensates for both general price inflation and income growth so as to decreases their affordability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rijo M John
- Rajagiri College of Social Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, 683104, India.
| | - Fikru T Tullu
- Non Communicable Diseases, World Health Organization, New Delhi, India
| | - Rachita Gupta
- National Professional Officer (Nutrition), World Health Organization, New Delhi, India
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23
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Andreyeva T, Marple K, Marinello S, Moore TE, Powell LM. Outcomes Following Taxation of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2215276. [PMID: 35648398 PMCID: PMC9161017 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.15276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE More than 45 countries and several local jurisdictions have implemented sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes to improve nutrition and population health, and evidence on their outcomes to date is essential to inform policy discussions. Responding to this need, the World Health Organization commissioned a systematic literature review on the outcomes of fiscal policies, including SSB taxes. OBJECTIVE To assess the associations of implemented SSB taxes with prices, sales, consumption, diet, body weight, product changes, unintended consequences, health, and pregnancy outcomes. DATA SOURCES Searches of 8 bibliographic databases (Business Source Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CINAHL, EconLit, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Scopus) were performed from database inception through June 1, 2020, with no language or setting restrictions. Grey literature was assessed using 14 sources and government websites. STUDY SELECTION The review included primary studies of implemented SSB taxes. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. For prices, sales and consumption, results were meta-analyzed using a 3-level random-effects model. Study quality was assessed at the outcome level. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Tax pass-through rate for prices, percentage reduction in SSB demand, and price elasticity of demand for sales and consumption. Heterogeneity was assessed using τ2 and the I2 statistic. RESULTS A total of 86 articles were eligible, with 62 studies contributing to the meta-analysis. The overall tax pass-through rate was 82% (95% CI, 66% to 98%; P < .001, I2 = 99%), suggesting tax undershifting. The demand for SSBs was highly sensitive to tax-induced price increases, with the price elasticity of demand of -1.59 (95% CI, -2.11 to -1.08; P < .001; I2 = 100%) and a mean reduction in SSB sales of 15% (95% CI, -20% to -9%; P < .001; I2 = 100%). There was no evidence of substitution to untaxed beverages, and changes in SSB consumption were not significant. The narrative synthesis found reformulation and reduced sugar content of taxed beverages for tiered taxes, cross-border shopping in most studies of local-level taxes, and no negative changes in employment. Data on the heterogeneity of SSB tax outcomes across subpopulations were limited. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this systematic review and meta-analysis of implemented SSB taxes worldwide, SSB taxes were associated with higher prices and lower sales of taxed beverages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Andreyeva
- Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Rudd Center for Food Policy & Health, University of Connecticut, Hartford
| | - Keith Marple
- The Heller School for Social Policy and Management, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Samantha Marinello
- Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
| | - Timothy E. Moore
- Statistical Consulting Services, Center for Open Research Resources & Equipment, University of Connecticut, Storrs
| | - Lisa M. Powell
- Health Policy and Administration, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago
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24
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Cawley J, Daly M, Thornton R. The effect of beverage taxes on youth consumption and body mass index: Evidence from Mauritius. HEALTH ECONOMICS 2022; 31:1033-1045. [PMID: 35297120 DOI: 10.1002/hec.4497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are relatively new and there is limited evidence about their impact on SSB consumption or body mass index (BMI) (as opposed to prices, purchases, or sales), their impact on youth (as opposed to adults), or their impact in non-Western nations. This paper adds to the evidence across all these dimensions by estimating the effect of an SSB tax on SSB consumption and the BMI of youth in Mauritius, an island nation in the Indian Ocean, which we compare to Maldives, another island nation which did not implement an SSB tax during the time of our data. Results of difference-in-differences models indicate that the tax in Mauritius had no detectable impact on the consumption of SSBs or the BMI of the pooled sample of boys and girls. However, models estimated separately by sex indicate that the probability that boys consumed SSBs fell by 9.4 percentage points (11%). These are among the first estimates of the effect of SSB taxes on youth consumption and contribute to the limited evidence on the impact of SSB taxes on weight, and in non-Western countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Cawley
- Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Michael Daly
- Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Rebecca Thornton
- Department of Economics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois, USA
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25
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Elliott LM, Dalglish SL, Topp SM. Health Taxes on Tobacco, Alcohol, Food and Drinks in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Scoping Review of Policy Content, Actors, Process and Context. Int J Health Policy Manag 2022; 11:414-428. [PMID: 32945639 PMCID: PMC9309941 DOI: 10.34172/ijhpm.2020.170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taxation of tobacco, food, alcohol and other beverages has gained renewed attention in responding to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). While largely built on evidence from high-income countries (HICs), the projected economic and health benefits of these measures have increased calls for their use in price-sensitive low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, uptake has been sporadic and there remains little research on why and how LMICs utilise fiscal measures in response to NCDs. METHODS This scoping review analyses factors influencing the design and implementation of health-related fiscal measures in LMICs. Utilising Arksey and O'Malley's scoping review methodology and Walt and Gilson's policy triangle, we considered the contextual, procedural, content and stakeholder-related factors that influenced measures. RESULTS We identified 75 papers focussing on health-related fiscal measures, with 47 (63%) focused on tobacco, 5 on alcohol, 6 on soft drink and 4 studies on food-related fiscal regulation. Thirteen papers analysed multiple measures and most papers (n = 66, 88%) were less than a decade old. Key factors enabling the design and implementation of measures included localised health and economic evidence, policy championing, inter-ministerial support, and global or regional momentum. Impeding factors encompassed negative framing and retaliation by industry, vested interests and governmental policy disjuncture. Aligning with theoretic insights from the policy triangle, findings consistently demonstrated that the interplay between factors - rather than the presence or absence of particular factors - has the most profound impact on policy implementation. CONCLUSION Given the growing urgency to address NCDs in LMICs, this review highlights the need for recognition and rigorous exploration of political economy factors influencing the design and implementation of fiscal measures. Broader LMIC-specific empirical research is needed to overcome an implication noted in much of the literature: that mechanisms used to enact tobacco taxation are universally applicable to measures targeting foods, alcohol and other beverages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lana M. Elliott
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- School of Public Health & Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Sarah L. Dalglish
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Stephanie M. Topp
- College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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26
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Løvhaug AL, Granheim SI, Djojosoeparto SK, Harrington JM, Kamphuis CBM, Poelman MP, Roos G, Sawyer A, Stronks K, Torheim LE, Twohig C, Vandevijvere S, van Lenthe FJ, Terragni L. The potential of food environment policies to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in diets and to improve healthy diets among lower socioeconomic groups: an umbrella review. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:433. [PMID: 35246074 PMCID: PMC8895543 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-12827-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Socioeconomic inequalities in diets need to be tackled to improve population diets and prevent obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases. The potential of food environment policies to reduce such inequalities has to date however not been appraised. The objective of this umbrella review was to assess the impact of food environment policies on socioeconomic inequalities in diets and to identify knowledge gaps in the existing literature, using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index as a conceptual framework. The policies considered in the umbrella review are within six domains: 1) food composition 2) food labelling 3) food promotion 4) food provision 5) food retail 6) food pricing. A systematic search for systematic literature reviews on the effect of food environment policies on dietary-related outcomes across socioeconomic groups and published in English between 2004 and 2019 was conducted. Sixteen systematic literature reviews encompassing 159 primary studies were included, covering food composition (n = 2), food labelling (n = 3), food provision (n = 2), food prices (n = 13) and food in retail (n = 4). Quality assessment using the “Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews” quality rating scale showed that review quality was mainly low or critically low. Results suggest that food taxation may reduce socioeconomic inequalities in diets. For all other policy areas, the evidence base was poor. Current research largely fails to provide good quality evidence on impacts of food environment policies on socioeconomic inequalities in diets. Research to fill this knowledge gap is urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Lene Løvhaug
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Sabrina Ionata Granheim
- Department of Public Health and Sport Sciences, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, Hamar, Norway
| | - Sanne K Djojosoeparto
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Janas M Harrington
- HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Carlijn B M Kamphuis
- Department of Interdisciplinary Social Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Maartje P Poelman
- Chair group Consumption and Healthy Lifestyles, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Gun Roos
- Consumption Research Norway (SIFO), OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexia Sawyer
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Karien Stronks
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centres, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Liv Elin Torheim
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Cliona Twohig
- HRB Centre for Health and Diet Research, School of Public Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Frank J van Lenthe
- Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands.,Department of Public Health, Erasmus University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura Terragni
- Department of Nursing and Health Promotion, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
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27
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Abstract
Increasing rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dental caries) are positively associated with the consumption of added sugars, particularly in sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). Governments worldwide have implemented SSB taxes to reduce the consumption of sugars added to beverages to reduce the prevalence of NCDs. There is a tax on manufactured products, including SSBs in Brazil. However, in 2016 and 2018, the Brazilian federal government decreased the tax rate, bucking global trends. The SSB industry has criticised such policies, and current tax levels are too low to reduce consumption sufficiently to prevent harm. Research supports positive public health impact potential for a higher SSB tax in Brazil. Sharing experience among countries and complementary policies (nutrition education and front of pack labelling) could increase the positive impacts of an SSB tax. We describe the history of SSB taxes in Brazil and the rationale it provides for specific SSB taxes across the country.
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28
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Laws R, Adam M, Esdaile E, Love P, Campbell KJ. What Works to Improve Nutrition and Food Sustainability across the First 2000 Days of Life: A Rapid Review. Nutrients 2022; 14:731. [PMID: 35215381 PMCID: PMC8878998 DOI: 10.3390/nu14040731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Informed by the Innocenti framework, this rapid review of systematic reviews (n = 60) and sentinel grey literature (n = 27) synthesises the evidence of what works to improve nutrition and food sustainability across the first 2000 days. Most systematic reviews focused on interventions targeting the behaviour of parents and caregivers (n = 49), with fewer reviews focusing on the personal (n = 7) and external (n = 4) food environments. No reviews focused on food supply-chain activities. Most reviews were rated as critically low (n = 28, 47%) or low (n = 21, 35%) quality using AMSTAR 2. Evidence supports the effectiveness of multi-component breastfeeding interventions, interventions delivered in home and child-care settings, particularly when involving parents, interactive skill building and repeated exposure to vegetables. Food vouchers and access to local farmers markets and community gardens have potential for improving access and availability to healthier foods, while evidence supports interventions improving the external food environment, including fiscal strategies such as the SSB tax, restrictions on marketing and advertising of discretionary products and improved food labelling. Overall, this review highlights the importance of action across a range of settings and sectors at the international, national and local levels to improve young children's diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Laws
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia; (M.A.); (E.E.); (P.L.); (K.J.C.)
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29
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Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption in Adults: Evidence from a National Health Survey in Peru. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14030582. [PMID: 35276941 PMCID: PMC8840136 DOI: 10.3390/nu14030582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
High consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) is associated with a high risk of non-communicable diseases. Evidence of SSB consumption is needed to inform SSB-related policies, especially in countries with a high consumption, such as Peru. Using data from Peru’s National Health Survey conducted in 2017–2018, the consumption of homemade and ready-to-drink SSB was estimated from a single 24 h dietary recall, accounting for socio-demographic and health-related variables. Regression models were fitted to assess which variables were linked to a high/low SSB consumption. There were 913 people and mean age was 37.7 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.9–38.6). Mean consumption (8 oz servings/day) of homemade SSB (1.2) doubled that of ready-to-drink SSB (0.5). The intake of homemade and ready-to-drink SSB was higher in men (1.3 and 0.7) than women (1.1 and 0.3). The intake of ready-to-drink SSB was higher in urban (0.6) compared to rural (0.2) populations. People aware of having diabetes had a lower consumption of both ready-to-drink (0.9 vs. 0.4) and homemade SSB (1.3 vs. 0.8) than those unaware of having diabetes. Male sex and living in urban locations were associated with higher ready-to-drink SSB intake. Older age was associated with a higher intake of homemade SSB. Amongst Peruvian adults, the consumption of SSB products (particularly homemade) remains high. Population-wide interventions should also aim to improve awareness of the nutritional components of homemade beverages.
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30
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Bucher Della Torre S, Moullet C, Jotterand Chaparro C. Impact of Measures Aiming to Reduce Sugars Intake in the General Population and Their Implementation in Europe: A Scoping Review. Int J Public Health 2022; 66:1604108. [PMID: 35095383 PMCID: PMC8791851 DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2021.1604108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Implementing public health measures is necessary to decrease sugars intake, which is associated with increased risk of noncommunicable diseases. Our scoping review aimed to identify the types of measures implemented and evaluated to decrease sugars intake in the population and to assess their impact. Methods: Following a review of systematic reviews (SRs) published in 2018, we systematically searched new SR (May 2017–October 2020) in electronic databases. We also searched the measures implemented in Europe in the NOURISHING database. Two researchers selected the reviews, extracted and analysed the data. Results: We included 15 SRs assessing economic tools (n = 5), product reformulation and labels/claims (n = 5), and educational/environmental interventions (n = 7). Economic tools, product reformulation and environmental measures were effective to reduce sugar intake or weight outcomes, while labels, education and interventions combining educational and environmental measures found mixed effects. The most frequently implemented measures in Europe were public awareness, nutritional education, and labels. Conclusion: Among measures to reduce sugar intake in the population, economic tools, product reformulation, and environmental interventions were the most effective, but not the more frequently implemented in Europe.
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31
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Wu YH, Moore S, Ma Y, Dube L. Longitudinal geo-referenced field evidence for the heightened BMI responsiveness of obese women to price discounts on carbonated soft drinks. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0261749. [PMID: 34965263 PMCID: PMC8716038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing interest in the effect that food environments may have on obesity, particularly through mechanisms related to the marketing and consumption of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods and sugary beverages. Price promotions, such as temporary price discounts, have been particularly effective in the marketing of carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) among consumers. Research has also suggested that the purchasing behavior of consumer groups may be differentially sensitive to price discounts on CSDs, with obese women particularly sensitive. In addition, the intensity of price discount in a person's food environment may also vary across geography and over time. This study examines whether the weight change of obese women, compared to overweight or normal BMI women, is more sensitive to the intensity of price discounts on CSDs in the food environment. This study used longitudinal survey data from 1622 women in the Montreal Neighborhood Networks and Health Aging (MoNNET-HA) Panel. Women were asked to report their height and weight in 2008, 2010 and 2013 in order to calculate women's BMI in 2008 and their change of weight between 2008 and 2013. Women's exposure to an unhealthy food environment was based on the frequency in which their neighborhood food stores placed price discounts on CSDs in 2008. The price discount frequency on CSDs within women's neighborhoods was calculated from Nielsen point-of sales transaction data in 2008 and geocoded to participant's forward sortation area. The prevalence of obesity and overweight among MoNNET-HA female participants was 18.3% in 2008, 19.9% in 2010 and 20.7% in 2013 respectively. Results showed that among obese women, exposure to unhealthy food environments was associated with a 3.25 kilogram (SE = 1.35, p-value = 0.02) weight gain over the five-year study period. Exposure to price discounts on CSDs may disproportionately affect and reinforce weight gain in women who are already obese.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Hsuan Wu
- Department of Public Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| | - Spencer Moore
- Health & Society Group, Social Sciences Department, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - Yu Ma
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laurette Dube
- Desautels Faculty of Management, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- McGill Centre for the Convergence of Health and Economics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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32
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Ng SW, Colchero MA, White M. How should we evaluate sweetened beverage tax policies? A review of worldwide experience. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1941. [PMID: 34702248 PMCID: PMC8546197 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11984-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Over 45 jurisdictions globally have implemented sweetened beverage taxes. Researchers and policymakers need to assess whether and how these taxes change beverage demand and supply, their intended and unanticipated health, economic and equity impacts. Lessons from such evaluations can maximise the policies' success and impact on non-communicable disease prevention globally. We discuss key theoretical, design and methodological considerations to help policymakers, funders and researchers commission and conduct rigorous evaluations of these policies and related disease prevention efforts. We encourage involving the perspectives of various stakeholders on what evaluations are needed given the specific context, what data and methods are appropriate, readily available or can be collected within time and budget constraints. A logic model /conceptual system map of anticipated implications across sectors and scales should help identify optimal study design, analytical techniques and measures. These models should be updated when synthesising findings across diverse methods and integrating findings across subpopulations using similar methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu Wen Ng
- Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB #8120, 137 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC, 27516, USA.
- Department of Nutrition, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB#7461, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7461, USA.
| | - M Arantxa Colchero
- Center for Health Systems Research, Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública, Universidad No 655 Colonia Santa María Ahuacatitlán, Cerrada Los Pinos y Caminera, CP, 62100, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico
| | - Martin White
- Centre for Diet and Activity Research, MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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33
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Lauber K, McGee D, Gilmore AB. Commercial use of evidence in public health policy: a critical assessment of food industry submissions to global-level consultations on non-communicable disease prevention. BMJ Glob Health 2021; 6:bmjgh-2021-006176. [PMID: 34426403 PMCID: PMC8383892 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2021-006176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ultra-processed food industry (UPFI) actors have consistently opposed statutory regulation in health policy debates, including at the WHO. They do so most commonly with claims that regulatory policies do not work, will have negative consequences or that alternatives such as self-regulation work well or better. Underlying this are often assertions that industry is aligned with principles of evidence-based policymaking. In this study, we interrogate if this holds true by exploring the extent and quality of the evidence UPFI respondents employed to support claims around regulatory policy, and how they did this. Methods First, we identified all submissions from organisations who overtly represent UPFI companies to consultations held by the WHO on non-communicable disease policy between 2016 and 2018. Second, we extracted all relevant factual claims made in these submissions and noted if any evidence was referenced in support. Third, we assessed the quality of evidence using independence from UPFI, nature, and publication route as indicators. Lastly, where peer-reviewed research was cited, we examined if the claims made could be justified by the source cited. Results Across 26 included consultation responses, factual claims around regulation were made in 18, although only 10 referenced any evidence at all. Of all 114 claims made, 39 pieces of identifiable evidence were cited in support of 56 claims. Of the 39 distinct pieces of evidence, two-thirds were industry-funded or industry-linked, with only 16 externally peer-reviewed. Over half of industry-funded or industry-linked academic articles failed to declare a conflict of interest (COI). Overall, of only six claims which drew on peer-reviewed and independent research, none appropriately represented the source. Discussion UPFI respondents made far-reaching claims which were rarely supported by high-quality, independent evidence. This indicates that there may be few, if any, benefits from consulting actors with such a clear COI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Lauber
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, UK
| | - Darragh McGee
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, UK
| | - Anna B Gilmore
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, Somerset, UK
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34
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Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages as a policy to reduce overweight and obesity in countries of different income classifications: a systematic review. Public Health Nutr 2021; 24:5550-5560. [PMID: 34218837 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980021002901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the potential impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes on overweight and obesity prevalence in countries of different income classifications. DESIGN Systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (PROSPERO number CRD42020161612). Five databases (Cochrane Library, Embase, LILACS (via Virtual Health Library) and MEDLINE (via PubMed), and Web of Science were searched, from January 2009 to December 2019. Articles that reported changes in purchases, sales, intake, body weight, BMI, overweight and/or obesity prevalence due to a tax on or price change in SSB were included. SETTING Studies conducted in countries of different income classifications. PARTICIPANTS The search yielded 8349 articles of which 21 met inclusion criteria. RESULTS Among the sixteen studies selected, only two did not show that consumption, sales and purchase decreased as the price of SSB increased. In eight of the thirteen studies selected, a positive effect of an SSB tax on decreasing overweight and obesity prevalence was expected. It is estimated that a 20 % taxation on SSB would result in a greater decrease in the prevalence of overweight and obesity compared to a 10 % rate. Studies with no significant effect of taxing on sales, purchases, consumption and prevalence of obesity were from high-income countries, while significant effects of taxing on reducing purchase, consumption and/or obesity prevalence were found in studies from upper-middle- and middle-income countries. CONCLUSION A high SSB tax might be an effective fiscal policy to decrease purchase and consumption of SSB and reduce overweight/obesity prevalence, especially if the tax were specific for beverage volume.
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Does Subjective Dietary Knowledge Affect Sugar-Sweetened Carbonated Beverages Consumption and Child Obesity? Empirical Evidence from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18073713. [PMID: 33918208 PMCID: PMC8037324 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18073713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Worldwide, overweight and obesity have become an important public health problem affecting the health of children and adolescents. In China, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached 19 percent among the 6–17-year-old age group. Although studies have shown that regular consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), especially sugar-sweetened carbonated beverages (SSCBs), is positively correlated with overweight and obesity among children, the research on ways to reduce SSBs consumption is scarce. This study fills this gap by analyzing data on nearly 4000 students aged between 9–15 from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in China, exploring possible influential pathways between subjective dietary knowledge, SSCBs consumption, and child obesity. The estimation results show that SSCBs consumption significantly mediates the relationship between dietary knowledge and the incidence of overweight and obesity; the mediated effects are different among subgroups. Therefore, improving dietary knowledge related to the lowing of SSBs consumption to reduce the obesity risk may be considered a possible way to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children.
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Fichera E, Mora T, Lopez-Valcarcel BG, Roche D. How do consumers respond to "sin taxes"? New evidence from a tax on sugary drinks. Soc Sci Med 2021; 274:113799. [PMID: 33684702 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
It is unclear what the effects of taxes on sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) are on consumer behaviour and which consumers may be affected the most. We evaluate the effect of the SSB tax introduced in Catalonia (but not in the rest of Spain) in May 2017 using loyalty card data of monthly purchases by 884,843 households from May 2016 to April 2018. Using a Difference-in-Differences approach, we study the SSB tax effect on the purchased quantity of beverages and sugar. Our results suggest a reduction in purchases of taxed beverages and a small increase in purchases of untaxed beverages. Households have substituted taxed beverages with their lower sugar (untaxed) counterparts. This has led to a 2.2% overall reduction in sugar purchases from beverages. Our study implies that although sin taxes moderately change consumer behaviour, a combination of different policies would be required to tackle obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toni Mora
- Research Institute for Evaluation and Public Policies (IRAPP), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain
| | | | - David Roche
- Research Institute for Evaluation and Public Policies (IRAPP), Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Spain
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Abdool Karim S, Kruger P, Hofman K. Industry strategies in the parliamentary process of adopting a sugar-sweetened beverage tax in South Africa: a systematic mapping. Global Health 2020; 16:116. [PMID: 33302993 PMCID: PMC7725882 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00647-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, the South African government became the first in the African region to announce the introduction of an SSB tax based on sugar content as a public health measure to reduce obesity. This tax was introduced against the backdrop of South Africa having a large sugar production and SSB manufacturing industry, as well as very high unemployment rates. The introduction of fiscal measures, such as a SSB tax, has been met with well-coordinated and funded opposition in other countries. METHODS The aim of this study is to describe and analyse the arguments and strategies utilised by industry during policymaking processes to oppose regulatory actions in LMIC. This study analyses arguments and strategies used by the beverage and related industries during the public consultation phase of the process to adopt the South African SSB tax. RESULTS Industry opposition to the SSB tax was comprehensive and employed several tactics. First, industry underscored its economic importance and the potential job losses and other economic harms that may arise from the tax. This argument was well-received by policymakers, and similar to industry tactics employed in other middle income countries like Mexico. Second, industry discussed self-regulation and voluntary measures as a form of policy substitution, which mirrors industry responses in the US, the Caribbean and Latin America. Third, industry misused or disputed evidence to undermine the perceived efficacy of the tax. Finally, considerations for small business and their ability to compete with multi-national corporations were a unique feature of industry response. CONCLUSIONS Industry opposition followed both general trends, and also introduced nuanced and context-specific arguments. The industry response experienced in South Africa can be instructive for other countries contemplating the introduction of similar measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safura Abdool Karim
- SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Petronell Kruger
- SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Karen Hofman
- SAMRC Centre for Health Economics and Decision Science - PRICELESS SA, School of Public Health, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Vazquez CE, Cubbin C. Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Obesity: a Review of Literature from the Past Decade to Inform Intervention Research. Curr Obes Rep 2020; 9:562-570. [PMID: 32785878 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-020-00400-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This is a review of the patterns, conceptualization, and suggested mechanisms underlying the relationship of socioeconomic status (SES) to obesity in childhood and the implications of these data for interventions going forward. RECENT FINDINGS Adiposity and SES are negatively associated in high-income countries and positively associated in medium to low-income countries. Several mechanisms, such as early introduction of solid food and parental behaviors, which may explain the association of SES and adiposity, have been identified. Parental education and adiposity and early pediatric nutrition appear to be particularly salient SES-related effectors on adiposity. There is a clear association of SES and adiposity which is affected by population affluence. Evaluation of the relationship of SES and obesity in children are complicated by the complexity of SES and lack of common definition. A number of SES-related interventional targets have been identified. Intervention research should ensure they are addressing SES-associated issues in the study population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Vazquez
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| | - Catherine Cubbin
- Steve Hicks School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin, 1925 San Jacinto Blvd, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Segovia J, Orellana M, Sarmiento JP, Carchi D. The effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages in Ecuador: An analysis across different income and consumption groups. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240546. [PMID: 33048990 PMCID: PMC7553359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
To analyze the effects of taxing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) in Ecuador, this study estimates a Quadratic Almost Ideal Demand System model using data from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Income and Expenditure for Urban and Rural Households. We derive own- and cross-price elasticities by income quintiles and consumption deciles for five beverages, including two types of sugary drink: (i) milk, (ii) soft drinks, (iii) water, (iv) other sugary drinks, and (v) coffee and tea. Overall, results show that a 20% increase in the price of SSBs will decrease the consumption of soft drinks and other sugary drinks by 27% and 22%, respectively. Heterogeneous consumer behavior is revealed across income and consumption groups, as well as policy-relevant complementarity and substitution patterns. Policy impacts are simulated by considering an 18 cents per liter tax, implemented in Ecuador, and an ad-valorem 20% tax on the price. Estimated tax revenues and weight loss are larger for the latter. From a health perspective, high-income and heavy consumer households would benefit the most from this policy. Our study supports an evidence-based debate on how to correctly design and monitor food policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joselin Segovia
- Grupo de Investigación en Economía Regional (GIER), Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
- * E-mail:
| | - Mercy Orellana
- Grupo de Investigación en Economía Regional (GIER), Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Juan Pablo Sarmiento
- Grupo de Investigación en Economía Regional (GIER), Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
| | - Darwin Carchi
- Facultad de Ciencias Económicas y Administrativas, Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
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Olm M, Stark RG, Beck N, Röger C, Leidl R. Impact of interventions to reduce overnutrition on healthcare costs related to obesity and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review. Nutr Rev 2020; 78:412-435. [PMID: 31769843 DOI: 10.1093/nutrit/nuz070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT In recent decades, obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have both become global epidemics associated with substantial healthcare needs and costs. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to critically assess nutritional interventions for their impact on healthcare costs to community-dwelling individuals regarding T2DM or obesity or both, specifically using CHEERS (Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards) criteria to assess the economic components of the evidence. DATA SOURCES Searches were executed in Embase, EconLit, AgEcon, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. STUDY SELECTION Studies were included if they had a nutritional perspective, reported an economic evaluation that included healthcare costs, and focused on obesity or T2DM or both. Studies were excluded if they examined clinical nutritional preparations, dietary supplements, industrially modified dietary components, micronutrient deficiencies, or undernutrition; if they did not report the isolated impact of nutrition in complex or lifestyle interventions; or if they were conducted in animals or attempted to transfer findings from animals to humans. DATA EXTRACTION A systematic review was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Using predefined search terms, 21 studies evaluating food habit interventions or taxation of unhealthy foods and beverages were extracted and evaluated using CHEERS criteria. RESULTS Overall, these studies showed that nutrition interventions and taxation approaches could lead to cost savings and improved health outcomes when compared with current practice. All of the included studies used external sources and economic modeling or risk estimations with population-attributable risks to calculate economic outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Most evidence supported taxation approaches. The effect of nutritional interventions has not been adequately assessed. Controlled studies to directly measure economic impacts are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Olm
- Institute for Medical Information Processing, Biometry, and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany.,Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Renée G Stark
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Nathanael Beck
- Munich Center of Health Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Christina Röger
- Competence Center for Nutrition and the Institute of the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry, Freising, Bavaria, Germany
| | - Reiner Leidl
- Institute of Health Economics and Health Care Management, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Neuherberg, Germany.,Munich Center of Health Sciences, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Bavaria, Germany
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Public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax and its associated factors in the Netherlands. Public Health Nutr 2020; 24:2354-2364. [PMID: 32495730 PMCID: PMC8145443 DOI: 10.1017/s1368980020001500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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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Pfinder M, Heise TL, Hilton Boon M, Pega F, Fenton C, Griebler U, Gartlehner G, Sommer I, Katikireddi SV, Lhachimi SK. Taxation of unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods for reducing their consumption and preventing obesity or other adverse health outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2020; 4:CD012333. [PMID: 32270494 PMCID: PMC7141932 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd012333.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Global prevalence of overweight and obesity are alarming. For tackling this public health problem, preventive public health and policy actions are urgently needed. Some countries implemented food taxes in the past and some were subsequently abolished. Some countries, such as Norway, Hungary, Denmark, Bermuda, Dominica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Navajo Nation (USA), specifically implemented taxes on unprocessed sugar and sugar-added foods. These taxes on unprocessed sugar and sugar-added foods are fiscal policy interventions, implemented to decrease their consumption and in turn reduce adverse health-related, economic and social effects associated with these food products. OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of taxation of unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods in the general population on the consumption of unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods, the prevalence and incidence of overweight and obesity, and the prevalence and incidence of other diet-related health outcomes. SEARCH METHODS We searched CENTRAL, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, MEDLINE, Embase and 15 other databases and trials registers on 12 September 2019. We handsearched the reference list of all records of included studies, searched websites of international organisations and institutions, and contacted review advisory group members to identify planned, ongoing or unpublished studies. SELECTION CRITERIA We included studies with the following populations: children (0 to 17 years) and adults (18 years or older) from any country and setting. Exclusion applied to studies with specific subgroups, such as people with any disease who were overweight or obese as a side-effect of the disease. The review included studies with taxes on or artificial increases of selling prices for unprocessed sugar or food products that contain added sugar (e.g. sweets, ice cream, confectionery, and bakery products), or both, as intervention, regardless of the taxation level or price increase. In line with Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) criteria, we included randomised controlled trials (RCTs), cluster-randomised controlled trials (cRCTs), non-randomised controlled trials (nRCTs), controlled before-after (CBA) studies, and interrupted time series (ITS) studies. We included controlled studies with more than one intervention or control site and ITS studies with a clearly defined intervention time and at least three data points before and three after the intervention. Our primary outcomes were consumption of unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods, energy intake, overweight, and obesity. Our secondary outcomes were substitution and diet, expenditure, demand, and other health outcomes. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors independently screened all eligible records for inclusion, assessed the risk of bias, and performed data extraction.Two review authors independently assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS We retrieved a total of 24,454 records. After deduplicating records, 18,767 records remained for title and abstract screening. Of 11 potentially relevant studies, we included one ITS study with 40,210 household-level observations from the Hungarian Household Budget and Living Conditions Survey. The baseline ranged from January 2008 to August 2011, the intervention was implemented on September 2011, and follow-up was until December 2012 (16 months). The intervention was a tax - the so-called 'Hungarian public health product tax' - on sugar-added foods, including selected foods exceeding a specific sugar threshold value. The intervention includes co-interventions: the taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and of foods high in salt or caffeine. The study provides evidence on the effect of taxing foods exceeding a specific sugar threshold value on the consumption of sugar-added foods. After implementation of the Hungarian public health product tax, the mean consumption of taxed sugar-added foods (measured in units of kg) decreased by 4.0% (standardised mean difference (SMD) -0.040, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.07 to -0.01; very low-certainty evidence). The study was at low risk of bias in terms of performance bias, detection bias and reporting bias, with the shape of effect pre-specified and the intervention unlikely to have any effect on data collection. The study was at unclear risk of attrition bias and at high risk in terms of other bias and the independence of the intervention. We rated the certainty of the evidence as very low for the primary and secondary outcomes. The Hungarian public health product tax included a tax on sugar-added foods but did not include a tax on unprocessed sugar. We did not find eligible studies reporting on the taxation of unprocessed sugar. No studies reported on the primary outcomes of consumption of unprocessed sugar, energy intake, overweight, and obesity. No studies reported on the secondary outcomes of substitution and diet, demand, and other health outcomes. No studies reported on differential effects across population subgroups. We could not perform meta-analyses or pool study results. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There was very limited evidence and the certainty of the evidence was very low. Despite the reported reduction in consumption of taxed sugar-added foods, we are uncertain whether taxing unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods has an effect on reducing their consumption and preventing obesity or other adverse health outcomes. Further robustly conducted studies are required to draw concrete conclusions on the effectiveness of taxing unprocessed sugar or sugar-added foods for reducing their consumption and preventing obesity or other adverse health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Pfinder
- AOK Baden‐WürttembergDepartment of Health PromotionPresselstr. 19StuttgartBaden‐WürttembergGermany70191
- University Hospital, University of HeidelbergDepartment of General Practice and Health Services ResearchVossstrasse 2HeidelbergBremenGermanyD‐69115
- University of BremenInstitute for Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences BremenBibliothekstr. 1BremenBremenGermany28359
| | - Thomas L Heise
- University of BremenInstitute for Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences BremenBibliothekstr. 1BremenBremenGermany28359
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and EpidemiologyResearch Group for Evidence‐Based Public HealthAchterstr. 30BremenGermany28359
| | - Michele Hilton Boon
- University of GlasgowMRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences UnitGlasgowUK
| | - Frank Pega
- University of OtagoPublic Health23A Mein Street, NewtownWellingtonNew Zealand6242
| | - Candida Fenton
- University of EdinburghUsher Institute of Population Health Sciences and InformaticsMedical SchoolTeviot PlaceEdinburghUKEH8 9AG
| | - Ursula Griebler
- Danube University KremsCochrane Austria, Department for Evidence‐based Medicine and EvaluationDr.‐Karl‐Dorrek Str. 30KremsAustria3500
| | - Gerald Gartlehner
- Danube University KremsCochrane Austria, Department for Evidence‐based Medicine and EvaluationDr.‐Karl‐Dorrek Str. 30KremsAustria3500
| | - Isolde Sommer
- Danube University KremsCochrane Austria, Department for Evidence‐based Medicine and EvaluationDr.‐Karl‐Dorrek Str. 30KremsAustria3500
| | | | - Stefan K Lhachimi
- Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and EpidemiologyResearch Group for Evidence‐Based Public HealthAchterstr. 30BremenGermany28359
- University of BremenDepartment for Health Services Research, Institute for Public Health and Nursing Research, Health Sciences BremenBibliotheksstr. 1BremenGermany28359
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Bridge G, Lomazzi M, Bedi R. Revenue allocation from SSB taxes: making the case for oral health promotion. Int Dent J 2020; 70:74-78. [DOI: 10.1111/idj.12543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
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Urwannachotima N, Hanvoravongchai P, Ansah JP, Prasertsom P, Koh VRY. Impact of sugar-sweetened beverage tax on dental caries: a simulation analysis. BMC Oral Health 2020; 20:76. [PMID: 32183817 PMCID: PMC7079374 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-020-1061-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The tiered sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax was implemented in Thailand to encourage industries to reduce sugar content in beverages, and consequently reduce sugar consumption in the population. The aim of the study is to explore the expected impact of the new SSB tax policy in Thailand, a middle-income country in Asia, and other alternative policies on oral health outcomes as measured by the prevalence and severity of dental caries among the Thai population. Methods A qualitative system dynamics model that captures the complex interrelationships among SSB tax, sugar consumption and dental caries, was elicited through participatory stakeholder engagement. Based on the qualitative model, a quantitative system dynamics model was developed to simulate the SSB tax policy and other alternative scenarios in order to evaluate their impact on dental caries among Thai adults from 2010 to 2040. Results Under the base-case scenario, the dental caries prevalence among the Thai population 15 years and older, is projected to increase from 61.3% in 2010 to 74.9% by 2040. Implementation of SSB tax policy is expected to decrease the prevalence of dental caries by only 1% by 2040, whereas the aggressive policy is projected to decrease prevalence of dental caries by 21% by 2040. Conclusions In countries where a majority of the sugar consumed is from non-tax sugary food and beverages, especially Asian countries where street food culture is ubiquitous and contributes disproportionately to sugar intake, SSB tax alone is unlikely to have meaningful impact on oral health unless it is accompanied with a comprehensive public health policy that aims to reduce total sugar intake from non-SSB sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nipaporn Urwannachotima
- Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand. .,Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Piya Hanvoravongchai
- Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - John Pastor Ansah
- Health Services and Systems Research, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Piyada Prasertsom
- Bureau of Dental Health, Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
| | - Victoria Rui Ying Koh
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore, Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, Singapore
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Tan KW, Dickens BSL, Cook AR. Projected burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus-related complications in Singapore until 2050: a Bayesian evidence synthesis. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2020; 8:8/1/e000928. [PMID: 32184203 PMCID: PMC7076230 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2019-000928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 01/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined the effects of age, gender, and ethnicity on the risk of acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and end-stage renal disease according to type 2 diabetes mellitus status among adults aged 40-79 in Singapore. METHODS A Bayesian inference framework was used to derive age-specific, gender-specific and ethnicity-specific prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus from the 2010 Singapore National Health Survey, and age-standardized gender and ethnicity-specific incidence rates of acute myocardial infarction, stroke and end-stage renal disease from the National Registry of Diseases Office. Population forecasts were used in tandem with incidence rates to project the future chronic disease burden until 2050. RESULTS The highest relative risk of acute myocardial infarction was observed in the youngest age group (aged 40-44), with higher relative risk for women (men: 4.3 (2.7-6.4); women: 16.9 (9.3-28.3)). A similar trend was observed for stroke (men: 6.5 (4.2-9.7); women: 10.7 (6.0-17.4)). For end-stage renal disease, the highest relative risk was for men aged 45-50 (11.8 (8.0-16.9)) and women aged 55-60 (16.4 (10.7-24.0)). The annual incidence of acute myocardial infarction is projected to rise from 9300 (in 2019) to 16 400 (in 2050), the number of strokes from 7300 to 12 800, and the number of end-stage renal disease cases from 1700 to 2700. CONCLUSIONS Type 2 diabetes mellitus was associated with an increased risk of complications and is modulated by age and gender. Prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes mellitus can reduce the increasing burden of secondary complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ken Wei Tan
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Borame Sue Lee Dickens
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
| | - Alex R Cook
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, Singapore
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyse disparities of malnutrition in all its forms by socio-economic indicators in children aged <5 years, adolescent girls and women of reproductive age (WRA). DESIGN We defined wasting/underweight, stunting/short stature, overweight and obesity following the WHO criteria for children aged <5 years, adolescents and WRA. We evaluated the prevalence of malnutrition by wealth status, education level and ethnicity (indigenous/non-indigenous). SETTING Guatemalan 2014-2015 National Maternal and Child Health Survey. PARTICIPANTS Children aged <5 years (n 11 962), adolescent girls aged 15-19 years (n 1086) and WRA aged 20-49 years (n 11 354). RESULTS Stunting/short stature prevalence among children, adolescents and WRA was 2·8, 2·1 and 2·0 times higher in the poorest compared with the richest; 2·9, 2·9 and 2·1 times higher in the lower educational level than in the highest; and 1·7, 1·7 and 1·6 times higher in the indigenous than in the non-indigenous population. In contrast, overweight/obesity prevalence among children, adolescents and WRA was 1·6, 2·1 and 1·8 times higher in the richest compared with the poorest; 1·6, 1·3 and 1·3 times higher in the higher educational level than in the lowest; and 1·3, 1·7 and 1·3 times higher in the non-indigenous than in the indigenous population. CONCLUSIONS Stunting/short stature is more prevalent among low-income, low-education and indigenous populations in all age groups. In contrast, overweight/obesity is more prevalent in high-income, high-education and non-indigenous populations in all age groups. These outcomes demonstrate socio-economic and ethnic disparities for malnutrition in all its forms.
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Eykelenboom M, van Stralen MM, Olthof MR, Schoonmade LJ, Steenhuis IHM, Renders CM. Political and public acceptability of a sugar-sweetened beverages tax: a mixed-method systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 2019; 16:78. [PMID: 31484538 PMCID: PMC6727579 DOI: 10.1186/s12966-019-0843-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taxation of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), as a component of a comprehensive strategy, has emerged as an apparent effective intervention to counteract the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity. Insight into the political and public acceptability may help adoption and implementation in countries with governments that are considering an SSBs tax. Hence, we aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the existing qualitative and quantitative literature on political and public acceptability of an SSBs tax. METHODS Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science) were searched until November 2018. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Qualitative studies were analyzed using a thematic synthesis. Quantitative studies were analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis for the pooling of proportions. RESULTS Thirty-seven articles reporting on forty studies were eligible for inclusion. Five themes derived from the thematic synthesis: (i) beliefs about effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, (ii) appropriateness, (iii) economic and socioeconomic benefit, (iv) policy adoption and implementation, and (v) public mistrust of the industry, government and public health experts. Results of the meta-analysis indicated that of the public 42% (95% CI = 0.38-0.47) supports an SSBs tax, 39% (0.29-0.50) supports an SSBs tax as a strategy to reduce obesity, and 66% (0.60-0.72) supports an SSBs tax if revenue is used for health initiatives. CONCLUSIONS Beliefs about effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, appropriateness, economic and socioeconomic benefit, policy adoption and implementation, and public mistrust of the industry, government and public health experts have important implications for the political and public acceptability of an SSBs tax. We provide recommendations to increase acceptability and enhance successful adoption and implementation of an SSBs tax: (i) address inconsistencies between identified beliefs and scientific literature, (ii) use raised revenue for health initiatives, (iii) communicate transparently about the true purpose of the tax, and (iv) generate political priority for solutions to the challenges to implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Eykelenboom
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Maartje M van Stralen
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Margreet R Olthof
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Linda J Schoonmade
- Medical Library, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ingrid H M Steenhuis
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Carry M Renders
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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48
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Coetzee A, Beukes A, Dreyer R, Solomon S, van Wyk L, Mistry R, Conradie M, van de Vyver M. The prevalence and risk factors for diabetes mellitus in healthcare workers at Tygerberg hospital, Cape Town, South Africa: a retrospective study. JOURNAL OF ENDOCRINOLOGY, METABOLISM AND DIABETES OF SOUTH AFRICA 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/16089677.2019.1620009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ankia Coetzee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town South Africa
- Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Amanda Beukes
- Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Reinhardt Dreyer
- Department of Medicine, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Salaamah Solomon
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lourentia van Wyk
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
- Department of Human Nutrition, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Roshni Mistry
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Magda Conradie
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town South Africa
- Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa
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49
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Teng AM, Jones AC, Mizdrak A, Signal L, Genç M, Wilson N. Impact of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes on purchases and dietary intake: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev 2019; 20:1187-1204. [PMID: 31218808 PMCID: PMC9285619 DOI: 10.1111/obr.12868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 215] [Impact Index Per Article: 43.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to conduct a systematic review of real-world sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) tax evaluations and examine the overall impact on beverage purchases and dietary intake by meta-analysis. Medline, EconLit, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were searched up to June 2018. SSB tax evaluations from any formal jurisdiction from cities to national governments were eligible if there was a comparison between pre-post tax (n = 11) or taxed and untaxed jurisdiction(s) (n = 6). The consumption outcome comprised sales, purchasing, and intake (reported by volume, energy, or frequency). Taxed and untaxed beverage consumption outcomes were examined separately by meta-analysis with adjustment for the size of each tax. The study was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018100620). The equivalent of a 10% SSB tax was associated with an average decline in beverage purchases and dietary intake of 10.0% (95% CI: -5.0% to -14.7%, n = 17 studies, 6 jurisdictions) with considerable heterogeneity between results (I2 = 97%).The equivalent of a 10% SSB tax was also associated with a nonsignificant 1.9% increase in total untaxed beverage consumption (eg, water) (95% CI: -2.1% to 6.1%, n = 6 studies, 4 jurisdictions). Based on real-world evaluations, SSB taxes introduced in jurisdictions around the world appear to have been effective in reducing SSB purchases and dietary intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea M Teng
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Amanda C Jones
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Anja Mizdrak
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Louise Signal
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Murat Genç
- Department of Economics, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Nick Wilson
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
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50
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Muhammad A, Meade B, Marquardt DR, Mozaffarian D. Global patterns in price elasticities of sugar-sweetened beverage intake and potential effectiveness of tax policy: a cross-sectional study of 164 countries by sex, age and global-income decile. BMJ Open 2019; 9:e026390. [PMID: 31399449 PMCID: PMC6701823 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2018-026390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To quantify global relationships between sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake and prices and examine the potential effectiveness of tax policy. DESIGN SSB intake data by country, age and sex from the Global Dietary Database were combined with gross domestic product and price data from the World Bank. Intake responsiveness to income and prices was estimated accounting for national income, age and sex differences. SETTING 164 countries. POPULATION Full adult population in each country. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A consumer demand modelling framework was used to estimate the relationship between SSB intake and prices and derive own-price elasticities (measures of percentage changes in intake from a 1% price change) globally by age and sex. We simulated how a 20% tax would impact SSB intake globally. Tax policy outcomes were examined across countries by global income decile for representative age and sex subgroups. RESULTS Own-price responsiveness was highest in lowest income countries, ranging from -0.70 (p<0.100) for women, age 50, to -1.91 (p<0.001) for men, age 80. In the highest income countries, responsiveness was as high as -0.49 (p<0.001) (men, age 20), but was mostly insignificant for older adults. Overall, elasticities were strongest (more negative) at the youngest and oldest age groups, and mostly insignificant for middle-aged adults, particularly in middle-income and high-income countries. Sex differences were mostly negligible. Potential intake reductions from a 20% tax in lowest income countries ranged from 14.5% (95% CI: 29.5%, -0.4%) in women, 35 ≤ age < 60, to 24.9% (44.4%, 5.3%) in men, age ≥60. Intake reductions decreased with country income overall, and were mostly insignificant for middle-aged adults. CONCLUSIONS These findings estimate the global price-responsiveness of SSB intake by age and sex, informing ongoing policy discussions on potential effects of taxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Muhammad
- University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture, Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Birgit Meade
- USDA Economic Research Service, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | - Dariush Mozaffarian
- Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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