Price Elasticity Of Junk Food Suggests Government Strategies In Obesity War

March 8, 2010: 06:14 AM EST

U.S. researchers who found that spending on junk food drops as prices rise suggest that taxing unhealthy foods and beverages may be one way federal, state and local governments could influence U.S. adults to eat a healthier diet. The researchers evaluated the diets of 5,115 young adults from 1985 through 2006 while tracking food prices. A ten percent price increase led to a seven percent decrease in soda calories, and a 12 percent decrease in pizza calories, consumed. In addition, higher soda or pizza costs were linked to lowered daily calorie intake, lower body weight and improved insulin resistance. An 18-percent tax on unhealthy foods would lead to significant overall weight loss and a lower risk of obesity-related diseases, the researchers concluded.

Kiyah J. Duffey, Ph.D., Barry M. Popkin, Ph.D., et al., "Food Price and Diet and Health Outcomes: 20 Years of the CARDIA Study", Archive of Internal Medicine 2010;170(5):420-426. , March 08, 2010, © American Medical Association

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Price Elasticity Of Junk Food Suggests Government Strategies In Obesity War

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