Weight loss from soda tax may be minimal

DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Adding a tax on soda and sweetened drinks may result in some weight loss, but not among those in highest and lowest income groups, U.S. researchers say.

Eric Finkelstein of the Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School says depending on the calories a consumer chooses as a replacement for sugary drinks, a nationwide tax of 20 percent generates a daily average reduction of 6.9 calories -- or no more than 0.7 pounds per household member -- and generates about $1.5 billion per year in U.S. tax revenue. A 40 percent tax would reduce daily calories by 12.5 calories and generate annual weight losses of up to 1.3 pounds per person per year and generate about $2.5 billion per year.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found the tax is estimated to cost the average household of about $28 a year.

However, the study notes that nearly all of the weight losses would be generated from middle-income groups because higher-income groups can afford to pay the tax and lower-income groups likely avoid the effects of the tax by purchasing generics, waiting for sales, buying in bulk, or by other cost-saving strategies.

Finkelstein pointed out that because of generous subsidies to farmers, high fructose corn syrup is cheaper and if the subsidy was lifted it would have the strongest effect on curbing obesity.