Health Buzz: Sugary Drink Tax and Other Health News

As a Registered Dietitian and consultant to the food and beverage industry I would like to comment on this article. It seems that once again, the multi-causal issue of obesity is being disguised as a single problem with a single solution, apply a sin tax to sweetened beverages and all will be well with the world. I think that we are all aware that a more comprehensive effort to educate American consumers about calorie budgeting, choosing foods in moderation and increasing physical activity will produce greater results. In fact, a study funded by the National Institute of Health and published earlier this year in the New England Journal of Medicine supported the idea that all calories count: that balancing calories consumed from all foods and beverages with calories burned through physical activity is how to maintain a healthy weight. It is arbitrary to decide that sugar-sweetened drinks are more likely than other source of calories to contribute to obesity. Actually, according to the ABA, sodas, sweetened beverages sports drinks and energy drinks represent only 5.5% of our total caloric intake, leaving 94.5% of calories coming from other sources. Do the supporters of the sin tax suggest we tax ice cream, cookies and doughnuts? While our consumption of beverage calories has decreased by more than 24% since 1998, the obesity rates continue to climb. A sin tax as proposed by the NEJM authors will not likely produce a measurable impact on obesity. A study from George Mason Mercatus Center shows that even a 15cent per can tax on beverages would only result in a .02 change in BMI. By isolating beverages as the sole cause of obesity, we distract American consumers from the real problem and solution. Let’s teach moderation, let’s allow for more active lifestyles and let’s educate consumers on making informed and realistic choices when it comes to food and beverages. Julie Feldman MPH RD

Julie Feldman of MI 10:24AM September 18, 2009