The palatability of sugar-sweetened beverage taxation: A content analysis of newspaper coverage of the UK sugar debate.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Excess sugar consumption, including sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), contributes to a variety of negative health outcomes, particularly for young people. The mass media play a powerful role in influencing public and policy-makers' perceptions of public health issues and their solutions. We analysed how sugar and SSB policy debates were presented in UK newspapers at a time of heightened awareness and following the announcement of the UK Government's soft drinks industry levy (SDIL), to inform future public health advocacy.

Methods & findings

We carried out quantitative content analysis of articles discussing the issues of sugar and SSB consumption published in 11 national newspapers from April 2015 to November 2016. 684 newspaper articles were analysed using a str

SUBMITTER: Buckton CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6281206 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature