apc a-00111-tax soda
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a-00111
Dr. Robert RUTLEDGETitle of Paper: TAX SODA/SUBSIDIZE VEGETABLES;
PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY
Nationality: United States of AmericaPosition: Director
Department: SurgeryOrganization: Center For Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery
Tel: +1-702 714 0011E-mail: [email protected]
TAX SODASUBSIDIZE VEGETABLES;
PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN
SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY
Robert RUTLEDGE11Director, Surgery, Center For Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery, United States of America
Introduction
• “The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally recognized
• Obesity as a global epidemic.” • Bariatric professionals need to act as • Leaders in addressing the Obesity
Epidemic.
Introduction
• “More than 35 million people die from Obesity Related Non-Communicable Diseass (NCDs) nearly two-thirds of the world's annual deaths.
• The prime risk factors are tobacco, alcohol, inactivity, and unhealthy diet
• Low FRUIT AND VEGETABLE and • High SUGAR, FAT AND SALT intake.”
Blaming the Victim
• “Occurs when the victim of an injury are
held responsible for the injuries they
suffer”
• E.g.: “A Case for Shaming Obese
People!!”
• Being overweight is not a “Sin” (gluttony)
Research to Tap in to Our Deepest Desires
• We are constantly being enticed to purchase things we don’t need,
• Including food. • Big companies like Coca Cola and General
Mills make millions of dollars every year using researched methods of advertising and food engineering to
• add SALT, SUGAR and FAT to food to generate increasing levels of Consumption
Identification of Primitive Desires to Eat SALT, SUGAR and FAT
• Companies use salt, sugar, and fat to tap into primitive urges to consume MORE!
• Their Research Has Paid OFF• Food companies have known for
decades that salt, sugar and fat are not good for us in the quantities present in processed foods
Warning:
Bariatric Surgeons are Profiting Millions of Dollars from the
Obesity Epidemic
Bariatric Surgeons are Profiting from the Obesity Epidemic
• Bariatric Professionals must be willing to speak out and act on the root causes of Obesity
Note: IT IS NOT LACK OF WILL POWER!!
Actions
• Reductions in • SUGAR, FAT AND SALT INTAKE • are critical to break the epidemic, • but how? • Learn form the fight against Smoking• Taxes and Regulations on unhealthy
food and • Subsidies on healthy foods.
Research on Effective Actions:
• Eyles et al reported that • taxes on carbonated soft drinks that a • 1% increase in the price of soft drinks • would decrease consumption by 1%. • 10% increase in the price of soft drinks
could decrease consumption by 1% to as much as 24%.
Decrease Cost of Vegetables Increased Intake of Vegetables
• The researchers' analysis showed that for each 1% reduction in the price of fruits and vegetables, consumption would increase by 0.35% and
• Compensatory purchasing effects, such as a reduction in chicken/meat/fish purchases.
Candy as “Food”!
• Since candy and soda are considered “food”
• They often carry no sales tax • Anti-obesity advocates have been
pushing to change that. • A few USA states — Washington and
Colorado — tax the sugary stuff, but the political battles are hard.
AMA Favors Soda Tax
• The American Medical Assn. • Voted at its annual meeting to • Support a SODA TAX as • One way to fight obesity and related
conditions.
Conclusions:
• Obesity is having a devastating impact upon countries around the world
• Like tobacco before it requires aggressive action to stop the its progression.
• Regulation and tax pricing strategies have the potential to produce improvements in population diets.
• We need to join together and Speak Up!