Filed under: Health, Healthy Eating, Don’t Eat This
Now that soft drink consumption has been brought to light as one of the main concerns in the obesity epidemic, public health officials in several countries are trying to come up with ways to force or manipulate the public into consuming less.
In the U.S. the discourse has centred around the idea of a “Soda Tax.” This new federal tax is currently being discussed by the Senate Finance Committee as a consideration for a way to help pay for the universal health care plan put forward by President Obama. It is thought that the three cent tax would help on two fronts – by discouraging soda consumption as well as helping to pay for health care.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill research team leader Kiyah Duffey writes, “While such policies will not solve the obesity epidemic in its entirety… they could prove an important strategy to address overconsumption, help reduce energy intake and potentially aid in weight loss and reduced rates of diabetes among U.S. adults.” She goes on, “Our findings suggest that national, state or local policies to alter the price of less healthful foods and beverages may be one possible mechanism for steering U.S. adults toward a more healthful diet.”
Continue reading Will a Soda Tax Curb Soda Consumption? Not Likely…