Cost of inaction on sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: implications for obesity in South Africa

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the effect of increased sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption on future adult obesity prevalence in South Africa in the absence of preventive measures. Design: A model was constructed to simulate the effect of a 2·4 % annual increase in SSB consumption on obesity prevalence. The model computed the change in energy intake assuming a compounding increase in SSB consumption. The population distribution of BMI by age and sex was modelled by fitting measured data from the 2012 South African National Income Dynamics Survey to the log-normal distribution and shifting the mean values. Setting: Over the past decade the prevalence of obesity and related noncommunicable diseases has increased in South Africa, as have the sales and availability of SSB. Soft drink sales in South Africa are projected to grow between 2012 and 2017 at an annual compounded growth rate of 2·4 % in the absence of preventive measures to curb consumption. Results: A 2·4 % annual growth in SSB sales alongside population growth and ageing will result in an additional 1 287 000 obese adults in South Africa by 2017, 22 % of which will be due to increased SSB consumption. Conclusions: In order to meet the South African target of reducing the number of people who are obese and/or overweight by 10 % by 2020, the country cannot afford to delay implementing effective population-wide interventions. In the face of plans to increase growth of SSB, the country will soon face even greater challenges in overcoming obesity and related non-communicable diseases. KeywordsCost Sugar-sweetened beverages Obesity Modelling South Africa South Africa has the highest prevalence of obesity in sub-Saharan Africa. In the past decade (2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012) this has increased among men by 2 % from 9 to 11 % and among women by 12 % from 27 to 39 % (1,2) . Simultaneously, the sales and availability of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) have increased alongside all categories of packaged and fast foods (3) . Excess sugar consumption is associated with weight gain and an increased risk for noncommunicable diseases (NCD) including CVD, type 2 diabetes and cancer, which account for 27 % of all deaths in the country (4)(5)(6)(7) . NCD place significant financial strain on families and on the country. Moderate obesity (BMI = 30-35 kg/m 2 ) is associated with an 11 % increase in health-care costs and severe obesity (BMI > 35 kg/m 2 ) with a 23 % increase (8) . Obesity and its associated diseases and ailments also negatively impact the workplace by increasing turnover, absenteeism and worker compensation claims, and decreasing productivity (9) .While all foods high in sugar have a harmful effect on the body, liquid sugar in the form of SSB is rich in energy, but poor in other nutritional content, and has a negligible impact on satiety (10) . Although consumption of SSB is not the only cause of obesity, it is strongly linked to increased energy intake (11) and weight gain in both adults and children due to the high suga...

Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among Cameroonian women in a national survey and relationships with waist circumference and inflammation in Yaoundé and Douala

“…Because the survey was designed with a focus on micronutrient deficiencies, we did not collect information on physical activity, body composition, or specific biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. However, the association of BMI with abdominal obesity and the existing data on health behaviours (such as consumption of sweetened beverages) suggest a pattern consistent with risk of developing noncommunicable disease, which has been observed elsewhere in Africa (Tugendhalf et al, ), particularly in urban areas.…”

“…Because the survey was designed with a focus on micronutrient deficiencies, we did not collect information on physical activity, body composition, or specific biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk. However, the association of BMI with abdominal obesity and the existing data on health behaviours (such as consumption of sweetened beverages) suggest a pattern consistent with risk of developing noncommunicable disease, which has been observed elsewhere in Africa(Tugendhalf et al, 2016), particularly in urban areas.The findings reported here are consistent with the growing base of evidence documenting a high and increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity and comorbidities such as diabetes in Africa. In Cameroon, the current prevalence estimates of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0) among women are similar to previous studies in the country.…”

Consumer perceptions toward sugar content of fruit juice products in a developing country

“…Consumers who stated that lower prices would help them to drink more FJ products purported FJ as having high sugar content. This is a rational finding since soft drinks/soda, which are high in sugar are much cheaper than FJ (Tugendhaft et al, 2016). Consequently, a number of South African consumers would prefer to increase their consumption of FJ products (probably owing to its health benefits), but are prevented from doing so by limited financial resources, which are prevalent in developing countries (Petzer & De Meyer, 2013).…”

The Economic and Health Impact of a Tax on Sugar Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) in South Africa

“…In the recent past, obesity rates in South Africa have increased considerably -currently, 14.7% of men and 44.5% of women are obese [1]. Among others, increasing consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) has been linked to weight gain due to high levels of energy and low nutritional content [2]. The increase in body mass has been associated with risks of obesity, and corresponding risks of type 2-diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease [2].…”