With sugar-fat control against diabetes

With sugar-fat control against diabetes

07/16/2014

About two-thirds of German men and about half of women are too fat. Over six million people in this country suffer from diabetes. But pure appeals to the population to live healthier, have apparently failed. Experts are now calling for higher taxes on unhealthy foods. Other countries are much further in the field.

Higher taxes on unhealthy foods
According to the German Diabetes Association (DDG), about two thirds of men (64 percent) and about half of women (49 percent) are too fat in Germany. Overweight and obesity also increases the risk of diabetes. According to Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the number of cases between 1998 and 2011 increased by 38 percent. Due to the increasing number of diabetics in Germany - now more than six million people - diabetes associations have now demanded from the policy again higher taxes on unhealthy foods such as fast food, chips and sweets. This was announced by the DDG on Tuesday in Berlin. A sugar and fat rich diet is considered a high risk of diabetes.

Prevention success with alcopops and cigarettes
As the DDG Managing Director Dietrich Garlichs announced, the full VAT rate of 19 percent on particularly high-calorie and low-fiber products could be a sensible way. In parallel with this sugar-fat tax, healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables should be deliberately taxed low. So far, many foods have a tax rate of seven percent. The visible prevention successes with alcopops and cigarettes are mentioned by the DGG as the main argument for the control lever, which has been controversially discussed for years. Because these alcoholics are less in demand for price increases and the tobacco consumption of teenagers has fallen significantly, explained Garlichs. On the other hand, pure appeals to the population to pay attention to a healthy diet and avoid being overweight have demonstrably failed.

Every day, 700 people are newly diagnosed with diabetes
According to DDG data, more than 700 people are diagnosed with diabetes every day in Germany. Among them was a large number of children and adolescents who only became diabetic through poor diet (type 2). Almost every third person among the over-70s is now diabetic nationwide. Compared to type 2 diabetes, type 1, in which immune system dysfunction and hereditary factors contribute to the emergence, is much less common. For those affected by chronic metabolic disease, the long-term effects can be severe. It's not just about tablets and insulin syringes. According to the company, there are 40,000 amputations per year, 2,000 new blinds and 2,300 new kidney patients on dialysis due to diabetes. This also causes high costs for the health system.

Germany is lagging behind in prevention
On 11 July, the Federal Council called on the black and red federal government to draw up a national diabetes plan. The country initiative also proposes to present a prevention law later this year. In addition, there are also efforts at the level of the EU and the UN to prevent more. However, in view of the recent Non-Communicable Disease Summit that took place last week in New York during the UN General Assembly, the DDG had stressed that Germany is involved in the prevention of obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes clearly lagging behind international developments.

Taxes and other measures in many countries
For example, Mexico has already introduced a tax on foods containing more than 275 calories per 100 grams. There is one in France since 2012 „Cola control“ for sugar fortified drinks. And in Latvia, unhealthy foods and drinks are prohibited in schools and kindergartens. In addition, according to the DGG, some South American countries have made agreements with the bread industry to reduce salinity, as high salt intake is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and is linked to conditions such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. In Finland and Hungary, too, various forms of the sugar-fat tax were introduced. In some countries, such as Norway or Sweden, advertising targeted at children is prohibited or, as in Australia, all forms of tobacco advertising including sponsorship. (Ad)