Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany
Abstract Background Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases the risk of overweight and obesity. Taxing SSBs could decrease daily energy consumption and body weight. This model-based study evaluated the impact of a 20% SSB-sales tax on overweight and obesity in the context of German...
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doaj-3d7346ecc730420bb1ba01dc0bc1612f2020-11-25T01:13:32ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582017-01-011711810.1186/s12889-016-3938-4Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in GermanyFalk Schwendicke0Michael Stolpe1Department of Operative and Preventive Dentistry, Charité - Universitätsmedizin BerlinKiel Institute for the World EconomyAbstract Background Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases the risk of overweight and obesity. Taxing SSBs could decrease daily energy consumption and body weight. This model-based study evaluated the impact of a 20% SSB-sales tax on overweight and obesity in the context of Germany. Methods The population aged 15–79 years was modelled. Taxation was assumed to affect energy consumption via demand elasticities, which affected weight and BMI. Model-based analysis was performed to estimate the tax impact on BMI in different age, gender and income groups. Results Implementing a 20% SSB tax reduced energy consumption mainly in younger age groups, males, and those with low income. Taxation decreased the mean BMI in younger groups, with the largest decrease in those aged 20–29 years, while effects in groups 60 years or above were minimal. In absolute terms, taxation was estimated to avoid 1,028,000 (−3% relative reduction) overweight individuals and 479,000 obese individuals (−4%). Overweight decreased the most in males aged 20–29 years (408,000 fewer cases /−22%), the same applied for obesity (204,000/−22%). Conclusions An SSB tax could have significant impact on overweight and obesity, which could translate into substantial reductions of morbidity and mortality.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3938-4Energy consumptionHealth economicsHealth policyObesityPublic healthTax policy |
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DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Falk Schwendicke Michael Stolpe |
spellingShingle |
Falk Schwendicke Michael Stolpe Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany BMC Public Health Energy consumption Health economics Health policy Obesity Public health Tax policy |
author_facet |
Falk Schwendicke Michael Stolpe |
author_sort |
Falk Schwendicke |
title |
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany |
title_short |
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany |
title_full |
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany |
title_fullStr |
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany |
title_full_unstemmed |
Taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in Germany |
title_sort |
taxing sugar-sweetened beverages: impact on overweight and obesity in germany |
publisher |
BMC |
series |
BMC Public Health |
issn |
1471-2458 |
publishDate |
2017-01-01 |
description |
Abstract Background Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) increases the risk of overweight and obesity. Taxing SSBs could decrease daily energy consumption and body weight. This model-based study evaluated the impact of a 20% SSB-sales tax on overweight and obesity in the context of Germany. Methods The population aged 15–79 years was modelled. Taxation was assumed to affect energy consumption via demand elasticities, which affected weight and BMI. Model-based analysis was performed to estimate the tax impact on BMI in different age, gender and income groups. Results Implementing a 20% SSB tax reduced energy consumption mainly in younger age groups, males, and those with low income. Taxation decreased the mean BMI in younger groups, with the largest decrease in those aged 20–29 years, while effects in groups 60 years or above were minimal. In absolute terms, taxation was estimated to avoid 1,028,000 (−3% relative reduction) overweight individuals and 479,000 obese individuals (−4%). Overweight decreased the most in males aged 20–29 years (408,000 fewer cases /−22%), the same applied for obesity (204,000/−22%). Conclusions An SSB tax could have significant impact on overweight and obesity, which could translate into substantial reductions of morbidity and mortality. |
topic |
Energy consumption Health economics Health policy Obesity Public health Tax policy |
url |
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-016-3938-4 |
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