Children are the most affected by the epidemic of the 21st century, obesity. In 2013, about 42 million children under five were overweight, 223 million under 18. A sedentary lifestyle and inappropriate eating are at the base of this problem. To reduce obesity, and focusing on the food factor, WHO has proposed to increase the price of soft drinks with sugar by 20% and subsidize fruits and vegetables.
We asked ourselves a while ago: Will raising taxes on sugary drinks improve children's diet? Well, this is probably another step to add many other necessary, such as the control of the influence of the food sector in politics or health, education to families and children in schools, social awareness campaigns ...
And yes, I think that if a bottle of soda increases its price, we put between 20 and 30 cents, many families would reduce their purchase (especially those with more risk of obesity, those that make more expenditure on this type of drinks). And, at the same time, subsidizing fruits and vegetables, whose price is not exactly the lowest, would encourage more families to increase the presence of these products in the shopping cart.
Well, I don't say it, says WHO. In a report presented yesterday in Geneva the organization notes that increase taxes on some categories of food, highly caloric, or refreshing drinks, while other healthier ones are subsidized, it would have positive consequences in the fight against obesity.
It has already been shown that raising taxes on certain specific products or ingredients reduces their consumption, so why not do the same with these insane products?
Among other issues, it is surprising to know the immense power of the sugar industry and some soda companies that we all know. This industry throughout its history has financed misleading studies to hide the damages of soft drinks, and what we do not know. They relate to politicians and there are politicians who defend their interests, even veiledly, so as not to promote stricter laws.
On the other hand, the WHO proposal to subsidize fruits and vegetables between 10 and 30% to reduce its selling price, it would have the direct effect of increasing its consumption. For example, people with a fixed budget for these foods could include more pieces in the shopping cart. And certain offers would encourage new families to try fruits and vegetables, especially if they know their benefits and how necessary they are for a healthy life. But of course, the fruit and vegetable industry is not as powerful as the sugar industry.
Let's not forget that people with low income levels are the most vulnerable to obesity and overweight, so economic measures will always have a certain effect.
Why it's not good for children to drink sugar
It is not good for children to drink soda. Recall that this type of sugary soda (with gas, packaged juices ...) generate dental problems, overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes and could also be related to poor coronary health and other problems that report a high cost to public health.
And let's not think that we have to go to extremes so that the excess sugar affects our health in a certain way. Only one can of soda or juice can contain almost twice as much sugar of what a child should consume throughout the day, taking into account the sugar contained in all foods.
On the other hand, reaching the five servings of fruit and vegetables recommended per day brings countless benefits to the body: it moisturizes us, provides us with fiber and vitamins, antioxidants, helps maintain healthy circulation and of course the right weight ...
It does not mean that if a child drinks a soda or juice from time to time it will be doomed. The problem comes when these sugary drinks are consumed daily and without control, and if we add other insane foods, sweets high in trans fats, too salty, a sedentary lifestyle ... what we do is buy too many ballots to suffer a serious health problem.
Photos | iStock
Via | ABC
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