Sugary drinks are one of the top sources of calories in the American diet and are a big contributor to the obesity epidemic.
Young people are exposed to a massive amount of marketing for sugary drinks, such as sodas, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks. Despite industry pledges to market fewer unhealthy beverages to children, this report finds there is more—not less—advertising for sugary drinks overall.
Although many schools are making an effort to remove regular soda, other sugary drinks remain widely available in vending machines, school stores, and other locations. Sports drinks are by far the most commonly offered type of sugary drink available in U.S. middle and high schools.
A nationwide, penny-per-ounce tax on sugar-sweetened beverages would prevent thousands of heart attacks, strokes, and cases of diabetes, and help avoid billions of dollars in medical costs.
In the middle of a national obesity epidemic, many sports drinks sold in the United States contain high amounts of sugar, adding more calories to youths’ diets.
Over the past 30 years, U.S. children and adolescents have dramatically increased their consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages, including soda, fruit drinks and punches, and sports drinks.
Bridging the Gap examines how food and beverage prices affect consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and the potential impact of taxes on sugary drinks. The program also has the latest research about state-level taxes on snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages.
Healthy Eating Research convened an expert advisory panel to develop a comprehensive set of age-based recommendations to define healthier beverages.
You are now viewing 1 - 10 of 14 results
October 1, 2012 | Journal Article
The food and beverages served in elementary school meal programs through the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program must meet certain federal nutrition standards. However, many schools also sell food through à la carte lines and ...
October 31, 2011 | Issue Brief
Young people are being exposed to a substantial amount of marketing for sugary drinks, such as full-calorie soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and fruit drinks, according to a new study from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity.
August 23, 2011 | Journal Article
The public health problems posed by consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages—and the appropriate policy responses—may be similar to those that arise when addressing cigarette and alcohol consumption.
September 1, 2009 | Issue Brief
A policy brief from the Yale Rudd Center for Food Policy & Obesity explores the potential impact of a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages.
August 1, 2010 | Journal Article
In a test at one hospital cafeteria, a 45 cent price increase reduced purchases of sugary soft drinks, aligning with other research that suggests price increases of unhealthy substances may reduce consumption. Nutrition education alone had no effect.
May 26, 2009 | Journal Article
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs)is likely a leading cause of obesity and overweight. This study examines national changes in the consumption of SSBs between the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1988-1994 and NHANES 1999-2004.
September 3, 2009 | Story
Developed by the Yale University Rudd Center in collaboration with Frank J. Chaloupka, Ph.D., professor of economics, University of Illinois at Chicago.
August 5, 2009 | Program Result
Researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health produced several reports on this connection.
February 28, 2013 | Report
A report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Bridging the Gap program finds that progress to improve school district wellness policies has stalled.
December 1, 2012 | Issue Brief
The fast-food industry spends $660 million to market its products to children and adolescents each year and spends the most on toys for kids’ meals—$360 million for the cost of toys alone. These efforts help fast-food restaurants sell more than 1.2 ...