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.
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June 1, 2011 | Journal Article
Looking at successful strategies used to reduce tobacco use and harmful drinking—can they do the same for sugar-sweetened beverage consumption?
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.
August 30, 2011 | Story
Related websites Learn more about the RWJF Health & Society Scholars program. Learn more about the RWJF Scholars in Health Policy Research program. For an overview of RWJF scholar and fellow opportunities, visit www.RWJFLeaders.org. Centuries ago in ...
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.
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.
December 13, 2010 | Journal Article
A sugar-sweetened beverage tax would affect the waistline and wallet of middle-income households more than that of those in low-income and high income brackets.
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.
December 2, 2009 | Journal Article
Research briefs, journal articles and online resources explore the possible health and economic impacts of a tax on 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.