Fat control US study confirms healthy effects

Fat control: US long-term study confirms healthy effects. Romania is planning to be the first European country to introduce a "junk food" tax.

Planning of the fat tax in Romania is progressing.
Already in January 2010, the Romanian Ministry of Health confronted its population with a planned „penalty tax“ on unhealthy foods, which should actually be introduced by March 1st. In the meantime planning is more advanced, the (anti) fat tax (fast food or junkfood tax) is hotly debated in Romania. While critics of the idea do not believe in changing consumer behavior through higher prices, this thesis is supported by a US study.

Scientists observed dietary behavior over 20 years.
Indeed, results from a long-term study in the US have shown that the consumption of junk foods such as pizza and cola may fall as prices go up, thereby reducing the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. To explore factors that favor the development of cardiovascular disease, the so-called CARDIA study was launched in the United States in 1985. The nutritional behavior of 5,115 young adults aged 18 to 30 over a 20-year period was monitored regularly by questionnaire, and body height, weight, blood sugar and insulin levels were also measured. The subjects were men and women of different ethnic backgrounds, with different levels of education, family status and annual income.

Appetite for pizza and soda is decreasing with rising prices.
When analyzing the percentage change in consumption with a percentage change in the price, a clear correlation between price and consumption of lemonade and pizza was found. For example, a price increase of 10 percent led to a decrease in caloric intake of 7 percent for lemonade and 11.5 percent for pizza consumption. Prices for pizza and lemonade went up, so the results added up.

From the facts collected, the authors of the study conclude that a rise in prices through a higher taxation of such foods could actually lead in the long term to less overweight, an improved metabolic status and thus, for example, fewer new diabetes cases in the population. While the US has been discussing the junkfood tax for years, Romania, Finland, Denmark and Taiwan are also considering a timely introduction. In Germany, too, malady is complained about obesity and secondary diseases, but the planning of a fat tax has not (yet) been announced.
(Dipl.Päd. J. Viñals Stein, Naturopath 28.03.2010)

Additional Information:
Summary & more about the CARDIA study
Obesity in Germany rising
Promote diets eating disorders?
Avoiding carbs lowers blood pressure