A systematic review of the effectiveness of taxes on nonalcoholic beverages and high-in-fat foods as a means to prevent obesity trends

Abstract

BackgroundAs part of the efforts to curb obesity, a new focus seems to be put on taxing foods that are perceived as being associated with obesity (eg, sugar-sweetened beverages and foods high in fat, sugar, and salt content) as a policy instrument to promote healthier diets.ObjectiveTo assess the possible effects of such taxation policies by identifying and analyzing all studies which investigate the impact of price increases on consumption, caloric intake, or weight outcomes.MethodsElectronic data bases were searched with appropriate terms and their combinations. Thereafter, abstracts were reviewed and studies were selected based on predefined criteria. The characteristics of the selected studies and the results were extracted in a special form and consequently were reviewed and synthesized.ResultsPrice increase may lead to a reduction in consumption of the targeted products, but the subsequent effect on caloric intake may be much smaller. Only a limited number of the identified studies reported weight outcomes, most of which are either insignificant or very small in magnitude to make any improvement in public health.ConclusionThe effectiveness of a taxation policy to curb obesity is doubtful and available evidence in most studies is not very straightforward due to the multiple complexities in consumer behavior and the underling substitution effects. There is need to investigate in-depth the potential underlying mechanisms and the relationship between price-increase policies, obesity, and public health outcomes.

Determinants of sugar‐sweetened beverage consumption in young children: a systematic review

“…The role of macro‐level environmental factors such as taxation, advertising/marketing, product price and placement have yet to be studied in relation to young children's SSB consumption. However, a recent systematic review suggested that taxation may not be effective in reducing SSB consumption in adults, and the impact on children may therefore be questionable .…”

Prevalencia de sobrepeso, obesidad, actividad física y tabaquismo en adolescentes argentinos: Encuestas Mundiales de Salud Escolar y de Tabaco en Jóvenes, 2007-2012

“…A nivel poblacional, cambios en la demanda (como estrategias de educación alimentaria, 20,21 regulación de la comercialización de alimentos, 22 cambios en el etiquetado nutricional) 23 y en la oferta (regulación del contenido de nutrientes de alimentos, como sodio, 24 grasas trans, 25 azúcares, políticas impositivas, 26,27 tamaños de porciones) deberían profundizarse para promover una alimentación más saludable.…”

Prevalence of overweight, obesity, physical activity and tobacco use in Argentine youth: Global School- Based Student Health Survey and Global Youth Tobacco Survey, 2007-2012

“…19 Initiatives towards the promotion of a healthy diet targeted at this population and school setting have been implemented in Argentina through healthy candy stands and canteens. Changes should be deepened at a population level, both * Indicates the comparison between the total for 2007 and the total for 2012. in terms of demand (such as nutrition education strategies, 20,21 food marketing regulation, 22 nutrition labeling modifications) 23 and offer (for example, regulation of food nutritional content, such as sodium, 24 trans fats, 25 and sugar, tax policies, 26,27 and serving sizes) so as to promote a healthier diet.…”