Pepsi and Coca Cola in Delhi, India: availability, price and sales

Abstract

Objective: India is experiencing increased consumption of sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks, consumption that may be associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the availability, price and quantity sold of 'Pepsi' and 'Coca Cola' in their 'regular' and 'diet' forms in Delhi and London. Design: A questionnaire about the availability, price and quantity sold per day of both regular and diet Pepsi and Coca Cola was devised and piloted. Using this, a survey of food and drink outlets within a 100 m radius of randomly selected Metro stations was conducted in both cities. Subjects: Store vendors, owners and staff of food and drink outlets. Setting: Delhi, India; London, United Kingdom. Results: In Delhi, of the outlets stocking regular Pepsi and Coca Cola, only 34 % sold diet versions and these were more readily available in the most affluent areas than in the poorest areas (34 % v. 6 %, Z 5 3?67, P , 0?001). This social patterning was not observed in London. Little price differential between regular and diet versions of Pepsi and Coca Cola was observed in Delhi; however, profit margins were better for regular, relative to diet, Coca Cola. Sales of regular products were significantly greater than those of diet products (P , 0?002). Conclusions: Low availability of diet versions of Pepsi and Coca Cola in less affluent areas of Delhi is likely to exacerbate the obesity and diabetes trends. Price differentials to promote diet versions and other healthier or traditional low-energy drinks may be beneficial. Keywords Sugar-sweetened carbonated drinks Type 2 diabetes ObesityThe nutrition transition occurring in the developing world, of which increased consumption of carbonated drinks is a part, results in the rapid adoption of energydense diets at low cost replacing energy-efficient diets at high costs (1)(2)(3) . Further evidence, although limited to developed countries, suggests that poorer areas provide fewer healthy food options and more energy-dense foods than do more affluent areas (4) . Evidence on consumption rates of soft drinks and processed foods by the Indian population is sparse (5) . Obesity and type 2 diabetes are already becoming major health problems in India (6) , and the health implications of further unchecked growth in the consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks may aggravate the situation further.Systematic review evidence suggests that greater consumption of sugar-sweetened soft drinks is associated with weight gain in adults and children and increase in the risk of type 2 diabetes in young-to-middle-aged women (7)(8)(9) . No such associations have been found with the consumption of diet drinks (10) . The age-adjusted relative risk for type 2 diabetes among women consuming one or more sugar-sweetened drinks per day compared with those consuming less than one sugar-sweetened drink per month is 1?98 (95 % CI 1?6, 2?4) (10)

The Socioeconomic Disparities in Intakes and Purchases of Less-Healthy Foods and Beverages Have Changed over Time in Urban Mexico

“…Compared with higher-SES households, lower-SES households had greater purchases of less-healthy beverages in 2012. The above-mentioned result is consistent with that has been observed in the highest-income countries, including the United States and several European countries, where the highest intake of SSBs is observed in lower-SES groups (45)(46)(47), whereas in low-and middle-income countries, such as India, Brazil, and Sri Lanka, the greatest intakes of SSBs are observed in populations with higher SES (48)(49)(50). Such results in less-healthy beverages purchasing may imply that low-SES groups had access to less-healthy beverages more easily than healthy beverages because of differences in availability and prices.…”

Global Trends in the Affordability of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages, 1990–2016

“…Including Coca-Cola derivatives (eg, Diet Coke), the brand accounts for 32.8% of the global market for carbonated soft drinks (36). Furthermore, some research suggests that despite complexity in pricing among sugar-sweetened beverage firms, prices for like-products commonly converge (37). …”

Burden attributable to Cardiometabolic Diseases in Zimbabwe: a retrospective cross-sectional study of national mortality data

“…Due to urbanization, families and individuals in SSA have shifted to more western, unhealthy diets consisting of high caloric intake and large amounts of refined carbohydrates and fats [ 37 ]. Causes of overweight and obesity have been linked to the consumption of high caloric food and sugar-sweetened beverages, of which sales of sugar-sweetened beverages are increasing worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries as a result of heavy marketing [ 38 , 39 ]. In Zimbabwe, the overall percentage of obesity in the population was 7 %, with 11.6 % of women and 2.4 % of men obese [ 11 ].…”