The potential impact of a 20% tax on sugar-sweetened beverages on obesity in South African adults: a mathematical model.

ABSTRACT:

Background/objectives

The prevalence of obesity in South Africa has risen sharply, as has the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). Research shows that consumption of SSBs leads to weight gain in both adults and children, and reducing SSBs will significantly impact the prevalence of obesity and its related diseases. We estimated the effect of a 20% tax on SSBs on the prevalence of and obesity among adults in South Africa.

Methods

A mathematical simulation model was constructed to estimate the effect of a 20% SSB tax on the prevalence of obesity. We used consumption data from the 2012 SA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and a previous meta-analysis of studies on own- and cross-price elasticities of SSBs to estimate the shift in daily energy consumpt

SUBMITTER: Manyema M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4138175 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature