Adding Warning Labels to Sugary Drinks May Combat Obesity

Adding warning labels to sugar-sweetened beverages may help reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in adolescents, according to a recent study.

Several locations have been considering adding point-of-purchase warning labels to sugar-sweetened beverages to help address the rising obesity epidemic among adolescents.
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To simulate the effects of these warning labels on obesity prevalence, the researchers explored detailed agent-based models of cities including Baltimore, Philadelphia, and San Francisco that were developed in 2016. Data for each model were obtained from various sources from 2005 to 2014.

Over the course of 7 years, the researchers investigated the simulated effect of sugar-sweetened warning label policies on the mean change in body mass index (BMI) and obesity prevalence.

Results of a 2016-2017 data analysis showed that implementing warning labels at all retailers of sugar-sweetened beverages resulted in a decreased obesity prevalence in adolescents in all 3 cities. Point-of-purchase labels with 8% efficacy, meaning that they reduced the probability of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption by 8%, led to a 1.69% decrease in obesity prevalence in Baltimore, a 4.08% decrease in San Francisco, and a 2.17% decrease in Philadelphia.

“Agent-based simulations showed how warning labels may decrease overweight and obesity prevalence in a variety of circumstances with label efficacy and literacy rate identified as potential drivers,” the researchers concluded. “Implementing a warning label policy may lead to a reduction in obesity prevalence. Focusing on warning label design and store compliance, especially at supermarkets, may further increase the health impact.”

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Lee BY, Ferguson MC, Hertenstein DL, et al. Simulating the impact of sugar-sweetened beverage warning labels in three cities [Published online December 14, 2017]. Am J Prev Med. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2017.11.003.