Introduction
Children and adolescents are at grave risk for health problems due to the excessive intake of added sugars, particularly sugary drinks. Minority and low-income children are disproportionately affected. The use of added sugars by children and adolescents must be reduced in order to enhance health, which calls for public measures like those outlined in this statement. The high incidence of childhood and teenage obesity is mostly caused by excessive added sugar consumption, notably from sugary drinks, especially among young people who are socioeconomically susceptible. Reducing the intake of sugary beverages is crucial since they are the main source of artificial sweeteners in the US diet, have little to no nutritious value, have a high-calorie density, and have no effect on satiety. It is critically necessary to undertake policy solutions to minimize children’s and adolescents’ use of sugary drinks in order to preserve their health, and one effective tactic to reduce the demand is the price increase.
Discussion
A decline in consumption is correlated with price rises. For instance, cigarette usage fell sharply as tobacco prices rose, especially among young people and those with lower socioeconomic positions (Muth et al., 2019). There is compelling evidence that alcohol excise duties reduce excessive alcohol intake and the adverse effects that go along with it, such as car accidents. A thorough review found that each 10% price increase, such as a tax, decreased the consumption of sugary beverages by 7% (Muth et al., 2019). According to the World Health Organization, a higher tax of 20% would probably have the most impact on lowering consumption (Muth et al., 2019). The application of a sugary drink tax was found to be the most cost-effective method of tackling childhood obesity. It prevents 575,000 cases and saves $30.78 per dollar spent on health care over a ten-year period, a study that sought to identify the most cost-effective strategies for reducing childhood obesity (Muth et al., 2019). Such tariffs are most successful when coupled with a comprehensive education effort to inform stakeholders of the dangers of consuming sugary beverages and their justification and advantages.
The tax is progressive because the proceeds are used to reduce health inequalities or offer other services that advance health in these particular populations. Policymakers take into account establishing regulations that increase the cost of sugary beverages, given the efficacy of cigarette and alcohol levies in lowering teenage consumption and use of these items (Muth et al., 2019). Healthy food supplies like water, fruits, and vegetables, as well as initiatives to combat obesity and diabetes, might all be supported partly by tax income.
Manufacturers of sugary drinks seek to attract children by connecting their products with fame, glamour, and coolness, just like cigarette firms do. Teenagers are constantly exposed to advertisements for sugary drinks. Despite the presence of the Children’s Food and Drink Advertising Initiative, which manufactures a self-regulatory body intended to restrict the marketing of unhealthy beverages and food, children are still the target audience (Muth et al., 2019). Stronger action is required to stop the promotion of sugar-sweetened drinks to adolescents and children on television, online, and in kid-friendly environments like cinemas, festivals, and sporting events.
There are additional ways to limit the promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks to children and teenagers, even though businesses are protected by their commercial rights to free speech and may not be required to stop doing so. For instance, companies are allowed to write off advertising expenses as a business cost. Removing the marketing subsidy for nutritionally inferior foods and drinks sold to children will stop about 129,000 cases of obesity over ten years at the expense of $0.66 for each unit of BMI (Muth et al., 2019). Stronger action is required to stop the promotion of sugar-sweetened beverages to adolescents and children on television, online, and in kid-friendly environments like cinemas, festivals, and sporting events.
Overall, children and adolescents face serious health risks from consuming additional sugars, especially those found in sugary beverages. It is recommended that pediatricians regularly advise kids and families to consume more water and less sugary drinks. Pediatricians can also work with medical and hospital group boards and committees, reach out to political officials, and have opportunities for public comment to lobby for policy change. The intake of sugary drinks among children and adolescents must be decreased in order to enhance children’s health, which calls for setting policy goals like those mentioned in this study and listed below.
Conclusion
Policies that increase the cost of sugary beverages, such as an excise tax, are included in local, regional, and national efforts to curb the use of added sugars. Such tariffs must be supported by all relevant parties and should be followed by an awareness program on the dangers of sugary drinks as well as the justification and advantages of the tax. The reduction of socioeconomic and health inequities gets at least some of the tax income. In order to assess the effects of such a tax, metrics are developed. The state and federal governments ought to promote initiatives aimed at reducing the promotion of sugary drinks to children and teenagers.
Reference
Muth, N. D., Dietz, W. H., Magge, S. N., Johnson, American Academy of Pediatrics, Section on Obesity, Committee on Nutrition, American Heart Association, R. K., Bolling, C. F., Armstrong, S. C., Haemer, M., A., Rausch, J., C., Rogers, V., W., Abrams, A., A., Kim, J., H., Schwarzenberg, S., J., Fuchs, G., J. III, Lindsey, C., W., & Rome, E., S. (2019). Public policies to reduce sugary drink consumption in children and adolescents. Pediatrics, 143(4). Web.