Why a sugar tax can beat obesity

Type 2 diabetes and other life-threatening conditions are linked to sugar in our diets

Diabetes is on the rise in the UAE. There was a 35 per cent increase in diagnosed cases of type 2 diabetes between 2014 and 2015 alone, according to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation. Doctors say that the situation is alarming and that dealing with it requires more intensive planning.

Lifestyle and obesity are major risk factors for diabetes and other chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. The UAE has one of the highest levels of obesity in the world, with childhood obesity a major problem. A recent Ras Al Khaimah study found that 40 per cent of schoolchildren are overweight, 24.4 per cent are obese and 5.7 per cent are morbidly, or extremely, obese.

This week, a panel was formed with representatives from 12 government agencies tasked with designing a plan to fight childhood obesity. They will consider measures including promoting healthy foods and exercise, and improving 1 health care for women before and after they become pregnant.

While the causes of obesity are complex, increased consumption of free sugars, particularly in the form of soft drinks, is associated with weight gain in both children and adults. Therefore, reducing sugar intakes, especially in the form of sweetened beverages, may help people maintain a healthy body weight.

Researchers have established a strong link between consumption of beverages that contain added naturally-derived caloric sweeteners with obesity and increased prevalence of type 2 diabetes. These sweeteners include sucrose (table sugar), high-fructose corn syrup and fruit juice concentrates. They all have similar metabolic effects that can lead to obesity.

While nutrition education and other behaviour-change interventions designed to decrease consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages can be effective in reducing intake at the individual level, widespread and lasting behaviour change may be difficult to achieve in adults. Behaviours and food preferences are often established during childhood and can be difficult to modify later in life.

To create a cultural shift, some countries have introduced regulatory actions aimed at reducing the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and other energy-dense foods. Such measures included limiting the single serving size of such foods, limiting or removing access to such foods in public places – for example, in vending machines – and taxes or other pricing disincentives.

Some countries, including Hungary, France, the United States and Mexico, have introduced, or looked at introducing, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. There is evidence suggesting that such taxes could substantially reduce consumption and, thus, contribute to lowering obesity rates. The rationale is that the tax will influence consumers’ choices and lead to a drop in demand. This could in turn lead to reduced production of these drinks or changes in their formulas. Whether it’s a sugar tax or some other action, it is clear that the alarming obesity and diabetes figures will require tough measures.