Philadelphia Soda Tax Shows Promising Health Impact, Study Suggests
PHILADELPHIA — A recent study conducted by University of Pennsylvania researcher Christina Roberto indicates that Philadelphia’s soda tax, enacted in 2017, may be slowing the rate of weight gain among residents, despite average Body Mass Index (BMI) still rising. Published in The Lancet, the study provides "limited evidence" of a decrease in BMI and obesity prevalence within three years following the tax’s implementation.
Philadelphia’s soda tax, the first of its kind in a major U.S. city, imposes a 1.5 cent-per-ounce charge on distributors of sugary beverages, effectively increasing retail prices and aiming to reduce consumption. The additional revenue funds pre-kindergarten programs and community improvements. While Roberto initially doubted the tax would produce significant health changes, the study found that while BMIs in the city continue to rise, they do so at a slower pace compared to surrounding regions without similar taxes.
Roberto utilized electronic health records from Penn Medicine to compare patient data from Philadelphia with those in neighboring areas, reinforcing that even modest improvements in BMI are notable. "We’re not seeing giant reductions, but the fact that we’re seeing reductions at all is surprising," she noted.
Previous research supports these findings, with a study in JAMA Health Forum reporting nearly a 50% decline in sugary drink sales post-tax. Despite initial backlash from the beverage industry, support for the tax has grown, with Roberto suggesting it could serve as a model for other cities contemplating similar measures. She emphasizes that reducing sugary drink consumption is beneficial on its own and could lead to broader public health improvements. As data accumulates, Philadelphia may guide other municipalities toward enhancing public health through similar strategies.
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Photo credit www.pennlive.com
