1. Ethics and obesity prevention: ethical considerations in 3 approaches to reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Author
-
Kass N, Hecht K, Paul A, and Birnbach K
- Subjects
- Food Assistance legislation & jurisprudence, Humans, Overweight prevention & control, Prevalence, Public Health ethics, Schools legislation & jurisprudence, Taxes legislation & jurisprudence, United States, Beverages, Dietary Sucrose, Health Policy legislation & jurisprudence, Obesity prevention & control, Public Health legislation & jurisprudence
- Abstract
Obesity and overweight prevalence soared to unprecedented levels in the United States, with 1 in 3 adults and 1 in 6 children currently categorized as obese. Although many approaches have been taken to encourage individual behavior change, policies increasingly attempt to modify environments to have a more positive influence on individuals' food and drink choices. Several policy proposals target sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), consumption of which has become the largest contributor to Americans' caloric intake. Yet proposals have been criticized for unduly inhibiting choice, being overly paternalistic, and stigmatizing low-income populations. We explored the ethical acceptability of 3 approaches to reduce SSB consumption: restricting sale of SSBs in public schools, levying significant taxes on SSBs, and prohibiting the use of Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) benefits for SSB purchases.
- Published
- 2014
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