A penny-per-ounce tax on sugared beverages could reduce consumption by more than 10%. It is difficult to imagine producing behavior change of this magnitude through education alone, even if government devoted massive resources to the task. In contrast, a sales tax on sugared drinks would generate considerable revenue, and as with the tax on tobacco, it could become a key tool in efforts to improve health.
Soda Ounces of Prevention
Apr 14
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 88 studies was published in 2007. The available data indicate a clear and consistent association between soft drink consumption and increased energy intake.
According to researchers at Kansas State University active commuting — walking or biking to school or work — can be an easy, effective and efficient way to integrate physical activity into the daily routine. They did two surveys, administered in 2008, which looked at demographics, psychosocial factors and environmental characteristics related to active commuting. A survey of more than 800 individuals at K-State was conducted, followed by another survey of 400 Manhattan area residents.
Obese women may be putting themselves at greater risk of breast cancer by not undergoing regular screening. This study examines why overweight women are less likely to undergo breast cancer screening.
Diabetes prevalence increased from 2.8% in 1996 to 4.3% in 2005. This might be primarily explained by the changes in obesity prevalence.
This study of586 old men suggest that higher intake of green leafy vegetables may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through favorable changes in cardiac autonomic function.
3135 boys and girls in grades 1-4 were included in this new Swedish study. Low-fat dairy products and whole-grain bread were promoted and all sweets and sweetened drinks were eliminated in intervention schools. Physical activity (PA) was aimed to increase by 30 min per day during school time and sedentary behaviour restricted during after school care time. PA was measured by accelerometry. No weight difference between intervention and controls was found after cluster adjustment. However, a larger proportion of the children who were initially overweight reached normal weight in the intervention group (14%) compared with the control group (7.5%). PA did not differ between intervention and control schools after cluster adjustment.
Data from 196,373 adult participants from 52 countries taking part in the World Health Survey (2002–2003) were analyzed in the summer of 2008. Low fruit and vegetable consumption prevalence ranged from 36.6% (Ghana) to 99.2% (Pakistan) for men and from 38.0% (Ghana) to 99.3% (Pakistan) for women. Overall, 77.6% of men and 78.4% of women from the 52 mainly low- and middle-income countries consumed less than the minimum recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
Researchers have determined that a rate of at least 100 steps per minute achieves moderate intensity activity. Therefore a simple pedometer-based recommendation of 3000 steps in 30 minutes can get people started on a meaningful exercise program. The study is published in the May 2009 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
100 dormitory-residing students were recruited from a large, public university. Research staff completed a detailed inventory of food and beverages in the dorm rooms, including nutrient contents and purchasing sources. The mean number of food and beverage items per participant was 47, with 4% of participants not having any food or beverages. More than 70% of students had each of the following types of items: salty snacks, cereal or granola bars, main dishes, desserts or candy, and sugar-sweetened beverages. The average number of calories per dorm room was 22,888. Obesity prevention efforts are needed, and improving the various facets of campus food environments may mark an important component of such strategies.