In the developing world, broader strategies are needed for health
by MedPage Today Staff October 20, 2017
Efforts to combat rising obesity rates in the developing world may be aided by taxing sugary drinks, but taxes alone aren’t enough, according to a report in Scientific American.
South Africa has recently instituted a tax on these beverages, as rising rates of noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease are offsetting the gains being seen in communicable diseases such as AIDS and malaria. In Mexico, a tax led to a decrease in purchases of sugary drinks and an increase in purchases of water — but sales of the sweetened beverages have rebounded.
Success will require educational efforts on the part of parents, schools, employers, and communities to encourage the consumption of water and the avoidance of excess sugar in the diet, for the health benefits among both individuals and the wider society.