The document discusses the rising obesity rates in the U.S., linking it to increased sugar consumption, particularly from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which are a significant contributor to the obesity epidemic. A proposed solution is the implementation of a tax on SSBs, which research shows could reduce consumption and generate significant revenue for public health initiatives. The document also highlights the targeting of youth by marketers and how increased prices can lead to reduced consumption among children.

1. +
Taxing Liquid Sugar:
The lowdown on the sugar-
sweetened beverage tax

2. The Problem: Obesity in the U.S.
o Americans consume too much sugar. Over the years, our
consumption has significantly increased.
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000 Refined Sugar
10,000
"Corn Sweetener"
5,000
0 Total Sweetener
1966
1969
1972
1975
1978
1981
1984
1987
1990
1993
1996
1999
2002
2005
2008

3. The
Problem:
Obesity in
the U.S.
 The more sugar
we consume, the
more our national
waistline increases.

4. Obesity Trends in the U.S. 1985
No Data <10% 10%–14%

5. Obesity Trends in the U.S.: 1990
No Data <10% 10%–14%

6. Obesity Trends in the U.S.: 1995
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19%

7. Obesity Trends in the U.S.: 2000
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% ≥20%

8. Obesity Trends in the U.S.: 2005
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

9. Obesity Trends in the U.S.: 2008
No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% 25%–29% ≥30%

10. Sugar Sweetened Beverages: A Big
Part of the Problem
o The average American consumes around 50 gallons of
sugary bevs each year. This is equal to 41 pounds of sugar
and about 72,000 calories.
o Research has found a link between obesity and consumption
of sugar-sweetened beverages.
o For example, a recently study in San Francisco found that
around 8.7% of the city’s obesity rates could be attributed to
consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.

11. Sugar-sweetened
beverages are the
single biggest o Source: Bleich, SN,
contributor to the Wang YC, Wang Y,
Gortmaker SL:
nation’s obesity Increasing
consumption of
epidemic. sugar-sweetened
beverages among
USadults: 1988-1994
to 1999-2004. Am J
Clin Nutr 2009; 89:
372:381.

14. Smoothie King
Peanut Power + Grape
o Large (40oz)
o 1,498 calories
o 44 grams fat
o 214 grams of sugar
o Sugar equivalent=
20 Reese’s Peanut
Butter Cups

15. Instead… try a High Protein
Banana Smoothie
o 16 oz
o 322
calories
o 8 grams
of fat
o 23 grams
of sugar

16. McDonald’s Large Triple Thick
Chocolate Shake
o 1,160
calories
o 27 grams of
fat
o 168 grams
of sugar
o Sugar
equivalent
= 13 Baked
Hot Apple
Pies

17. Instead of the Triple Thick Shake… try
McDonald’s Hot Fudge Sundae
o 340 calories
o 12 grams of fat
o 47 grams of sugar

18. DQ Caramel Moolatte
o 870 Calories
o 24 grams of fat
o 112 grams of sugar
o Sugar equivalent =
100 frosted animal
crackers

19. Instead of a Moolatte… have a
Dilly Bar!
o 210 calories
o 13 grams of fat
o 17 grams of sugar

20. Starbucks Venti Java
Chip Frappuccino
o 510 calories
o 13 grams of fat
o 77 grams of sugar
o Sugar equivalent =
3.5 large chocolate
chip cookies

21. Starbuck’s White Hot Chocolate
o 520 calories
o 16 grams of fat
o 75 grams of sugar
o Sugar equivalent =
14 Oreos

22. Cold Stone Creamery
PB & C Shake
o 2,010 calories
o 131 grams of fat
o 153 grams of sugar
o Sugar equivalent=
30 Chips Ahoy Cookies

23. Instead of a PB & C…drink a
Sinless Oh Fudge Shake
o “Like it” size
o 490 calories
o 2 grams of fat
o 44 grams of sugar

24. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and
Youth
o Marketers of soda and sugary
beverages aggressively target youth.
o Soda accounts for about 10% of total
calories the average kid consumers in
a day
o Kids who drink a lot of soda don’t get
enough of important nutrients like
folate, vitamin A, and calcium.

25. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and
Youth
o Research has also shown that youth are particularly more
likely to reduce consumption upon increase in price.
o The obesity rate for kids in around 17.5%.
 Another study observed
middle-school students
over two school years, and
concluded that their risk
of obesity skyrocketed
60% for every additional
sugary drink they
consumed a day.

26. Potential Solution: Sugar-
Sweetened Beverage Tax
o What this means: A tax on all sugar-sweetened beverages,
including (non-diet) sodas, sweetened teas, fruit drinks,
sports drinks, etc…
o Currently, 33 states have minor SSB taxes – but the taxes
aren’t significant enough to create change.

27. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax
o Research demonstrates, and tobacco taxes prove, that raising the
price of unhealthy foods will most likely lead to reduced
consumption
o Consequently, this tax could help reduce adult and childhood
obesity.
o Additionally, money generated from the tax can be used to further
promote public health efforts in the U.S. Even if a tax of only 3 cents
a soda was imposed, it could raise $51.6 billion in the next 10
years.
o This is needed, for obesity-
related health problems cost
America about $117 billion each
year.

28. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax:
Campaign Example
o New York state’s Pour on the Pounds campaign
o www.youtube.com/user/DrinkingFat

29. Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Tax:
Campaign Example

30. Time to Play…
o GUESS THE SUGAR CONTENT!

31. Rockstar

32. Sugar
Content?
62 grams of sugar

33. Naked Berry
Blast

34. Sugar Content?
52 grams of sugar

35. Izze Sparkling
Clementine

36. Sugar Content?
27 grams of sugar

37. Starbucks
Double Shot

38. Sugar Content?
26 grams of sugar

39. Nos

40. Sugar Content?
52 grams of sugar

41. SoBe Pina
Colada

42. Sugar Content?
77.5 Grams of
Sugar

43. Mountain Dew

44. Sugar Content?
77 grams of sugar

45. Gatorade Fruit
Punch

46. Sugar Content?
56 grams of sugar

47. Fuze-
Strawberry
Guava

48. Sugar Content?
44 grams of sugar

49. Full Throttle

50. Sugar Content?
58 grams of sugar

51. Bolthouse Farms
Blue Goodness

52. Sugar Content?
56 grams of sugar

53. Snapple
Raspberry Tea

54. Sugar Content?
42 grams of sugar

55. Time to Play…
o GUESS THE AMOUNT OF SUGAR
PACKETS!

56. Coca-Cola

57. Sugar Packets?
21.7 packets of
sugar

58. Powerade

59. Sugar Packets?
20 packets of
sugar

60. Vitamin Water
Defense

61. Sugar Packets?
10.7 packets of
sugar

62. V8 Vegetable
Juice

63. Sugar Packets?
3.7 packets of
sugar

64. MONSTER

65. Sugar Packets?
18 packets of
sugar