Taxing sugary drinks may not cut obesity as much as headlines claim
An article published in New Scientist titled “Taxing sugary drinks may not cut obesity as much as headlines claim” examines the impact of taxing sugary drinks on obesity rates. The article cites studies that have shown that taxing sugary drinks has had limited success in reducing obesity rates, as consumers often turn to other sources of added sugar, such as snacks and desserts. The article notes that while taxing sugary drinks may be a step in the right direction, it is not a silver bullet solution to the obesity epidemic, suggesting instead that a comprehensive approach to reducing obesity is needed, including changes in government policies, increased access to healthy food, and increased physical activity. It concludes by stating that while taxing sugary drinks may have some impact on reducing obesity, it is not a complete solution, and additional efforts are needed to address the issue.
Increasing taxes on sugary products good but adequate prevention or management of obesity needs an approach that is applied along the life course. There are exposures that occur in utero that increase obesity risk so keeping this period out won’t help us much in obesity and NCD prevention.