Adherence
Implementing excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) reduces their consumption and leads to modest reductions in population-level obesity and BMI.
To reduce obesity rates at a population level, governments can implement excise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. Evidence suggests that as prices rise, consumption drops significantly (elasticity ~-1.3), leading to modest but measurable decreases in BMI and obesity prevalence, particularly among lower-income groups who are more price-sensitive.
This comprehensive literature review suggests that an increase in price of SSBs is associated with a decrease in consumption; and the higher the price increase, the greater the reduction in consumption... The few available studies suggest that higher prices of SSBs may lead to modest reductions in weight in the population.
Why this rating
Meta-analysis of observational/cross-sectional studies; no randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included.
Source
Evidence that a tax on sugar sweetened beverages reduces the obesity rate: a meta-analysis
Maria A Cabrera Escobar et al. · BMC Public Health · 2013
DOI 10.1186/1471-2458-13-1072
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