A Review of the Literature on Policies Directed at the Youth Consumption of Sugar Sweetened Beverages

Abstract

Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) constitute a large percentage of energy consumed by youth. This paper reviews the literature on school nutrition policies and price interventions directed at youth SSB consumption. In addition to considering the direct effect of policies on SSB consumption, we provide an overview of the literature on how SSB consumption affects total energy intake (TEI) and BMI, as well as on how TEI affects BMI. By considering each of these links, we attempted to gauge the effect of policies directed at SSB consumption, as well as highlight areas that merit future research. We found that school nutrition and price policies reduce SSB consumption and that reduced SSB consumption is associated with a reduction in energy intake that can influence BMI. Policies directed at SSB consumption can play an important role in reducing youth overweight and obesity.

Sugar-containing beverage intake in toddlers and body composition up to age 6 years: The Generation R Study

“…30 Health policies trying to reduce the burden of childhood obesity have therefore focused on limiting SCB intake, but these interventions have mostly targeted school nutrition 31 and thus affect only school children. Currently, dietary guidelines do not contain any recommendations regarding limiting SCB intake in preschool children.…”

Is Sugar the new Tobacco? Insights from Laboratory Studies, Consumer Surveys and Public Health

“…However, contrary to tobacco, which does not offer many alternative products, risks of SSB substitution by other high energy density foods and beverages exempted from a tax remain uncertain [89][90][91]. Moreover, youth who are overweight or from low-income families may be more responsive to SSB taxation but further studies are required on that matter [92]. Until now, few large-scale SSB taxation policies have been implemented and research tends to indicate that taxes have been too small to significantly influence dietary and health outcomes [93].…”

Overview of the key current population-level strategies used to prevent obesity

“…Efforts to restrict access to sugar-sweetened bever ages (SSBs) in such facil it ies hold partic u lar promise for obesity-preven tion, given the strong evid ence base linking SSBs with obesity (Woodward-Lopez et al , 2011). For example, school-based policies that reduce access to SSBs have been shown to decrease the percent age of chil dren consum ing sugary drinks as well as the total calor ies chil dren consume (Levy et al , 2011). Evidence also supports the effective ness of expand ing access to health ier options.…”