Expected benefits of increasing taxes to nonessential energy-dense foods in Mexico: a modeling study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In 2014, Mexico implemented an 8% tax on non-essential energy-dense foods (NEDFs) exceeding 275 calories per 100 g to improve dietary quality and reduce obesity prevalence. While this tax has shown promising results in reducing purchases of these items and decreasing obesity rates in children, its potential may be limited by the relatively low tax rate. We aimed to assess the potential impact of increasing the existing NEDF tax on body weight (kg), body mass index (BMI), obesity prevalence, and obesity cases in the Mexican adult population.

Methods

Using data from the Mexican 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT-2018), and a microsimulation mathematical model that translates adult energy balance into body weight changes, we analyzed the potential imp

SUBMITTER: Junquera-Badilla I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11829337 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature