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 21 - 30 of 56 results
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.
April 1, 2010 | Journal Article
New study finds that current soda tax rates don't deter consumption.
April 1, 2010 | Journal Article
One of the largest drivers of the current obesity epidemic is thought to be excessive consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
November 1, 2009 | Report
A research synthesis from Healthy Eating Research examines the health impacts of sugar-sweetened beverages.
October 15, 2009 | Journal Article
Consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSB) has been linked to higher risks of obesity. This paper explores SSB consumption and adverse health outcome evidence before discussing how SSB taxation may reduce intake, lower health care costs and generate federal health program revenue.
September 1, 2009 | Journal Article
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation invests in research aimed at reducing childhood obesity. This study investigated associations between soda taxes and body mass index (BMI) in 8th, 10th, and 12th grade students in the period 1997-2006.
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 5, 2009 | Program Result Report
Researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health produced several reports on this connection.
July 1, 2009 | Issue Brief
Research brief provides the latest data about the potential effects of sugar-sweetened beverage taxes on consumer behavior and health.
May 30, 2013 | Staff and Leadership
RWJF Vice President James Marks comments on the report of industry success in removing 1.5 trillion calories from the U.S. marketplace.