Increasing Costs Lessens Junk Food Popularity

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Public health professionals had suggested to increase the taxes of the food high in the calories, saturated fats or added sugar. They wanted to compensate for food environments by subsidizing the healthier food. The healthy food like fresh fruits and vegetable can be promoted if their price is comparatively lower.

This found helpful as the increase in the cost of the junk food, helped to decrease the calories of the people who participated the surveys. A one-dollar increase in the cost of soda or pizza was also associated with a lower overall daily calorie intake, lower body weight and an improved insulin resistance score. A one-dollar increase in the cost of these items can provide even greater changes in these measures, says the experts.

An 18-percent tax increase on these foods would result in a decline of roughly 56 calories in a person per day. These declines would amount to weight loss of approximately 5 pounds for a person in a year, with corresponding reductions in the risk of obesity-related diseases.

The policies to increase the rates of junk food items may not entirely abolish the obesity epidemic. The national, state or local level policies to alter the price of junk foods and beverages can be one of the best strategies for steering the people towards a more healthful diets, says the food experts.

The study has appeared in the March 8th issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.