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Tax on high-calorie drinks encouraged healthier choices
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Environmental interventions such as increasing the cost of high-calorie beverages and displaying beverages by calorie content decreased sales in a single large cafeteria, according to data presented at Obesity Week 2013.
The most consistent finding from the study was the significant decreased sales of high-calorie beverages during both intervention phases, Jason P. Block, MD, of Harvard Medical School’s department of population medicine, told Endocrine Today.
Block and colleagues conducted a time-series analysis of pricing and display interventions by increasing the price of high-calorie beverages of 1-cent per ounce, and displaying beverages organized by calorie content as: zero (0 to 15 kcal), low-calorie (45 kcal to 149 kcal), and high-calorie (≥150 kcal). Each intervention was 3 months in duration, separated by a 2-month washout period, according to Block.
“With the goal of reducing high-calorie beverage intake, these types of interventions that are on a large scale, have imminent relevance to addressing obesity and diabetes across a population,” Block said.
At baseline, 151 zero-calorie, 58 low-calorie and 99 high-calorie beverages were sold per day, according to data. As a result of the price increase, 26% more zero-calorie beverages were purchased (change in level: 39 beverages daily; 95% CI, 25-54), according to data.
Block said the most robust findings were the reduction in both level (–16 beverages per day; 95% CI, –8 to –24) and trend (–0.3 beverages per day; 95% CI, –0.1 to –0.5) after the price increase.
Moreover, there were increases in level (12; 95% CI, 1-22) and trend (0.5; 95% CI, 0.1-0.8) for high-calorie drinks during the washout period. However, there was a reduction in high-calorie purchases during the display phase in trend only (–0.5; 95% CI, –0.2 to –0.8), according to data.
“As we work to improve healthy choices across the nation, this study suggests that small adjustments in presentation or pricing may have an outsize positive effect on consumer behavior,” Pat O’Neil, PhD, past president of The Obesity Society, said in a press release. “We need more research like this to provide an evidence base for health advocates and policymakers, among many others, who are working to encourage healthier choices.” – by Samantha Costa
For more information:
Block JP. Abstract T-43-OR. Presented at: Obesity Week; Nov. 11-15, 2013; Atlanta.
Disclosure: Block reports no relevant financial disclosures.