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An 'end-game' for sugar sweetened beverages?
Pacific Health Dialog
|May 2, 2015
Summary
An "endgame" strategy for sugar-sweetened beverages is proposed to combat rising unhealthy weight. Evidence links these drinks to cardiovascular risks, suggesting a need for population-level interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Nutrition Science
- Epidemiology
Background:
- The global epidemic of unhealthy weight persists despite numerous ineffective interventions.
- Rising prevalence of unhealthy weight necessitates novel public health strategies.
- A successful 'endgame' strategy for tobacco control in New Zealand offers a potential model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence linking sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) to unhealthy weight and adverse health outcomes.
- To examine current international and New Zealand initiatives aimed at reducing SSB consumption.
- To propose an 'endgame' approach for SSBs to address population-level unhealthy weight.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of epidemiological evidence on SSBs and health.
- Analysis of food disappearance data for sugar intake trends in New Zealand.
- Evaluation of existing public health initiatives targeting SSB consumption.
Main Results:
- Consistent epidemiological links between SSB intake and unhealthy weight, diabetes, gout, and hypertension.
- Increasing sugar intake in New Zealand, potentially driven by sugar addiction.
- Description of successful initiatives to reduce SSB consumption internationally and in New Zealand.
Conclusions:
- An 'endgame' strategy for sugar-sweetened beverages is advocated to combat unhealthy weight.
- Such an approach is crucial for addressing unhealthy weight at a population level.
- A preliminary draft endgame plan is presented for discussion and debate.
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