How Could Taxes on Sugary Drinks and Foods Help Reduce the Burden Of Type 2 Diabetes?

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Taxes on sugary drinks and foods have emerged as a key strategy to counteract the alarming levels of diabetes worldwide. Added sugar consumption from industrialized foods and beverages has been strongly linked to type 2 diabetes. This review provides a synthesis of evidence on how taxes on sugary products can influence the onset of type 2 diabetes, describing the importance of the different mechanisms through which the consumption of these products is reduced, leading to changes in weight and potentially a decrease in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. RECENT FINDINGS: Observational studies have shown significant reductions in purchases, energy intake, and body weight after the implementation of taxes on sugary drinks or foods. Simulation studies based on the association between energy intake and type 2 diabetes estimated the potential long-term health and economic effects, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, suggesting that the implementation of sugary food and beverage taxes may have a meaningful impact on reducing type 2 diabetes and complications. Public health response to diabetes requires multi-faceted approaches from health and non-health actors to drive healthier societies. Population-wide strategies, such as added sugar taxes, highlight the potential benefits of financial incentives to address behaviors and protective factors to significantly change an individual's health trajectory and reduce the onset of type 2 diabetes worldwide, both in terms of economy and public health.

Comparison of Dietary Intake Before vs After Taxes on Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Nonessential Energy-Dense Foods in Mexico, 2012 to 2018.

Importance: Tax evaluations have shown effectiveness in reducing purchases of taxed items. However, few studies have looked at changes in overall dietary intake according to national surveys. Objective: To estimate the contribution of taxed and untaxed beverages and foods to dietary intake over time, and the nutritional dietary profile in total beverages and foods consumed. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study used data from 3 National Health and Nutrition Surveys of a nationally representative sample of participants aged older than 1 year in Mexico from 2012 (pretax), 2016, and 2018 (posttax). Data were analyzed from September 2021 to December 2022. Exposure: Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and nonessential energy-dense foods implemented since 2014. Main Outcomes and Measures: The outcomes were the contribution of taxed and untaxed beverages to total beverage volume, the contribution of taxed and untaxed foods to total food energy, and the energy density and content of added sugars and saturated fats. Outcomes were assessed with 24-hour recalls (24HR) (2012 and 2016) and Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ) (2012, 2016, and 2018), and were adjusted by sociodemographic and macroeconomic variables. Results: A total of 17 239 participants were analyzed from 2012, 18 974 from 2016, and 30 027 from 2018; approximately 50% were men, and approximately 75% lived in urban areas. According to 24HRs, the contribution of taxed beverages to total beverage volume changed -2.3 (95% CI, -4.4 to -0.2) percentage points from 2012 to 2016, while water increased. The contribution of taxed foods to total food energy changed -3.0 (95% CI, -4.2 to -1.8) percentage points, while untaxed whole grains, processed meats, other animal sources, and sugars and desserts increased. The content in total beverages of added sugars changed -1.1 kcal/100 mL (95% CI, -2.0 to -0.2), and in total foods, the content of added sugar changed -0.6 %kcal (95% CI, -1.0 to -0.2), saturated fat changed -0.8 %kcal (95% CI, -1.1 to -0.4), and energy density changed -9.8 kcal/100 g (95% CI, -13.8 to -5.8). Main results were consistent with the FFQ (up to 2018), with some differences in subgroups and nutritional components. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study on 3 cross-sectional national dietary surveys are consistent with previous evaluations; after tax implementation, there was a decrease in the contribution of taxed items. Furthermore, some unhealthy untaxed items increased, but the content of unhealthful nutritional components, particularly added sugar, in overall beverages and foods decreased.

Price Trends of Healthy and Less Healthy Foods and Beverages in Mexico from 2011-2018.

BACKGROUND: Cost is one of the main drivers of food selection; thus it is important to monitor food prices. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries such as Mexico is limited. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prices and price trends of healthy and less healthy food/beverage groups in Mexico from 2011 to 2018. DESIGN: This study used a time series of the prices of foods and beverages classified by 1) healthiness, 2) processing level, and 3) pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes. SETTING: Food and beverage prices used to estimate the Consumer Price Index were obtained. Prices were collected weekly from 46 cities (>20,000 habitants) distributed across the country. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Price trend (% change/year) from 2011 to 2018 for all food/beverage groups and price/100 g in 2018 for pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes were obtained. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: Linear regression models were used for each food/beverage group, with the logarithm of deflated price as the dependent variable and time (years) as the independent variable. RESULTS: On average, prices for less healthy foods and beverages increased more than prices of healthy foods and beverages (foods: 1.72% vs 0.70% change/year; beverages: 1.61% vs -0.19% change/year). The price change was similar for unprocessed/minimally processed foods and ultraprocessed foods (1.95% vs 1.85% change/year); however, within each processing category, the price of less healthy foods increased more. By pairs of substitutes (within food/beverage groups), the healthier option for bread, sodas, and poultry was more expensive (price/100 g) in 2018, whereas for red meat, cheese, mayonnaise, and milk, the healthier option was cheaper. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the food prices of less healthy foods and beverages increased more than the food prices of healthy foods and beverages. However, by processing level there was no difference, and for pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes results were mixed. Continued monitoring of food prices is warranted, and future research is needed to understand how these price changes affect dietary quality.

Infant feeding, appetite and satiety regulation, and adiposity during infancy: a study design and protocol of the 'MAS-Lactancia' birth cohort.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of childhood obesity has risen dramatically in recent years. A proportion of this burden has been attributed to factors that occur during the first 1000 days of life such as genetic predisposition, breast feeding and complementary feeding. Although the mechanisms by which these factors affect weight and adiposity are less well understood, appetite and satiety regulation may be a key to understanding them. This cohort study aims to investigate the role of appetite and satiety regulation as a mediator in the association between infant feeding practices and genetic polymorphisms with children's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: 'MAS-Lactancia' (the first word means 'more' and is also an acronym in Spanish for 'Appetite and Satiety Mechanisms', the second word is 'breastfeeding') is an open, ongoing, prospective birth cohort that began the enrolment in 2016 of mother-child pairs affiliated to the Mexican Social Security Institute and that live in the city of Cuernavaca, Mexico. Pregnant women between 16-week and 22-week gestation are followed during the second half of their pregnancies, at birth and throughout their infant's first 48 months of life (at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, 36 months and 48 months) at the clinic and at-home visits that include questionnaires, anthropometric measurements and biospecimen collection. The main exposure variables are infant feeding (breast feeding and complementary feeding) and genetic polymorphisms (fat mass and obesity-associated, leptin and adiponectin genes). Outcome variables include infant's growth, adiposity and metabolic risk factors. We will conduct longitudinal models and path analyses to identify the potential mediating role of satiety and appetite indicators (leptin, adiponectin, insulin concentrations, appetite and satiety perception). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol, data collection instruments, consent forms and procedures were approved by the institutional review boards of the National Institute of Public Health and the Mexican Social Security Institute in Mexico. Findings will be disseminated through conferences, peer-reviewed publications and meetings with stakeholders.

Exploration of Machine Learning and Statistical Techniques in Development of a Low-Cost Screening Method Featuring the Global Diet Quality Score for Detecting Prediabetes in Rural India.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has increased substantially in India over the past 3 decades. Undiagnosed diabetes presents a public health challenge, especially in rural areas, where access to laboratory testing for diagnosis may not be readily available. OBJECTIVES: The present work explores the use of several machine learning and statistical methods in the development of a predictive tool to screen for prediabetes using survey data from an FFQ to compute the Global Diet Quality Score (GDQS). METHODS: The outcome variable prediabetes status (yes/no) used throughout this study was determined based upon a fasting blood glucose measurement ≥100 mg/dL. The algorithms utilized included the generalized linear model (GLM), random forest, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), elastic net (EN), and generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) with family unit as a (cluster) random (intercept) effect to account for intrafamily correlation. Model performance was assessed on held-out test data, and comparisons made with respect to area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The GLMM, GLM, LASSO, and random forest modeling techniques each performed quite well (AUCs >0.70) and included the GDQS food groups and age, among other predictors. The fully adjusted GLMM, which included a random intercept for family unit, achieved slightly superior results (AUC of 0.72) in classifying the prediabetes outcome in these cluster-correlated data. CONCLUSIONS: The models presented in the current work show promise in identifying individuals at risk of developing diabetes, although further studies are necessary to assess other potentially impactful predictors, as well as the consistency and generalizability of model performance. In addition, future studies to examine the utility of the GDQS in screening for other noncommunicable diseases are recommended.

Food environment solutions for childhood obesity in Latin America and among Latinos living in the United States.

The food environment is a major contributor to unhealthy diets in children and, therefore, to the increasing rates of obesity. Acclaimed by scholars across the world, Latin American countries have been leaders in implementing policies that target different aspects of the food environment. Evidence on the nature and to what extent children are exposed and respond to unhealthy food environments in the region and among Latinos in the United States is, however, deficient. The objective of this review is to use the integrated International Network for Food and Obesity/noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) Research, Monitoring and Action Support (INFORMAS) framework to create healthy food environment to (i) compare the key elements of childhood obesity-related food environments in Latin America and for Latinos living in the United States; (ii) describe the evidence on solutions to improve childhood obesity-related food environments; and (iii) identify research priorities to inform solutions to fight childhood obesity in these populations. We found that an integrated body of evidence is needed to inform an optimal package of policies to improve food environments to which children in Latin America and Latino children in the United States are exposed and more efficiently translate policy solutions to help curb growing childhood obesity levels across borders.

Toward a healthy and sustainable diet in Mexico: where are we and how can we move forward?

BACKGROUND: Dietary recommendations worldwide have focused on promoting healthy diets to prevent diseases. In 2019, the EAT-Lancet Commission presented global scientific targets for healthy diets and sustainable food production and proposed a healthy reference diet (EAT-HRD) that can be adapted to the culture, geography, and demography of the population and individuals in any country. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to describe the daily energy intake from food groups and subgroups in Mexican adults relative to the EAT-HRD and propose an adaptation of the EAT-HRD to the Mexican context. METHODS: We analyzed data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Surveys in 2012 and 2016. Diet information was obtained using the 5-step multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall method. We estimated the mean energy intake from food groups and subgroups and compared these figures with the midpoint of the EAT-HRD and with the Mexican Dietary Guidelines (MDGs). We also proposed an adaptation of the EAT-HRD to the Mexican context based on the mean energy intake and the comparison between the MDGs and the EAT-HRD. RESULTS: Mexican adults consume higher than the EAT-HRD for grains (mostly refined), dairy, added sugars, and animal-based proteins (particularly red meat, poultry, eggs, and processed meats); and lower than the EAT-HRD for vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, tubers and starchy vegetables, fish, and added fats. Based on these findings, we propose a healthy and sustainable reference diet adapted for the Mexican population. CONCLUSIONS: Mexican adults have a diet that is far from being healthy and is not sustainable. The adaptation of the EAT-HRD to the Mexican context is a timely input for current government efforts to move to a sustainable and healthy food system, including the update of the current MDGs.

Patterns of Red and Processed Meat Consumption across North America: A Nationally Representative Cross-Sectional Comparison of Dietary Recalls from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Close economic ties encourage production and trade of meat between Canada, Mexico, and the US. Understanding the patterns of red and processed meat consumption in North America may inform policies designed to reduce meat consumption and bolster environmental and public health efforts across the continent. We used nationally-representative cross-sectional survey data to analyze consumption of unprocessed red meat; processed meat; and total red and processed meat. Generalized linear models were used to separately estimate probability of consumption and adjusted mean intake. Prevalence of total meat consumers was higher in the US (73.6, 95% CI: 72.3-74.8%) than in Canada (65.6, 63.9-67.2%) or Mexico (62.7, 58.1-67.2%). Men were more likely to consume unprocessed red, processed, and total meat, and had larger estimated intakes. In Mexico, high wealth individuals were more likely to consume all three categories of meat. In the US and Canada, those with high education were less likely to consume total and processed meat. Estimated mean intake of unprocessed red, processed, and total meat did not differ across sociodemographic strata. Overall consumption of red and processed meat remains high in North America. Policies to reduce meat consumption are appropriate for all three countries.

Adoption of healthy and sustainable diets in Mexico does not imply higher expenditure on food.

The relative cost of healthy and sustainable diets is key for their adoption in different countries. Using a newly developed modelling tool that generates different diet baskets, we compared the costs of diets following the EAT-Lancet healthy reference diet, the Mexican dietary guidelines and locals' current food intake. On average, the cost of the EAT-Lancet healthy reference diet baskets was 21% lower than that of the Mexican dietary guidelines baskets, and 40% lower than that of the current intake baskets (29% lower if the comparison was isocaloric). Findings were similar over time (2011-2018) and by geographic region. The higher cost associated with the larger amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts in healthy and sustainable diets was surpassed by the savings associated with their lower amount of animal protein sources, sugar-sweetened beverages and discretionary foods. We conclude that transitioning to better diets in Mexico is possible without a higher expenditure on food.

Malnutrition in all its forms by wealth, education and ethnicity in Latin America: who are more affected?

OBJECTIVE: To summarise the findings from this supplemental issue on the distribution of malnutrition (stunting/short stature, anaemia and overweight) by wealth, education and ethnicity within and between ten Latin American countries. DESIGN: We retrieved information from each country's article and estimated the average difference in the prevalence of malnutrition between groups. We estimated the associations between countries' malnutrition prevalence and GDP, percentage of women with high education and percentage of non-indigenous ethnicity. SETTING: Nationally representative surveys from ten Latin American countries conducted between 2005 and 2017. PARTICIPANTS: Children (<5 years), adolescent women (11-19 years) and adult women (20-49 years). RESULTS: Socially disadvantaged groups (low wealth, low education and indigenous ethnicity) had on average 15-21 (range across indicators and age groups) percentage points (pp) higher prevalence of stunting/short stature and 3-11 pp higher prevalence of anaemia. For overweight or obesity, adult women with low education had a 17 pp higher prevalence; differences were small among children <5 years, and results varied by country for adolescents by education, and for adults and adolescents by wealth and ethnicity. A moderate and strong correlation (-0·58 and -0·71) was only found between stunting/short stature prevalence and countries' GDP per capita and percentage of non-indigenous households. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight was equally distributed among children; findings were mixed for ethnicity and wealth, whereas education was a protective factor among adult women. There is an urgent need to address the deep inequalities in undernutrition and prevent the emerging inequalities in excess weight from developing further.

Malnutrition prevalence among children and women of reproductive age in Mexico by wealth, education level, urban/rural area and indigenous ethnicity.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition and excess weight) by wealth, education level, ethnicity and urban/rural areas in Mexican children and women of reproductive age. DESIGN: We compared the prevalence of overweight, obesity, wasting/underweight, stunting/short stature and anaemia by socioeconomic and ethnic indicators. For each indicator, we estimated prevalence ratios (PR) adjusted by all other socioeconomic and ethnic indicators. We analysed if results differed by urban/rural areas. SETTING: Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey 2012. PARTICIPANTS: Children <5 years, non-pregnant women 11-19 years and non-pregnant women 20-49 years (n 33 244). RESULTS: In most age groups, belonging to non-indigenous households, with high wealth, high education and in urban areas were inversely associated with stunting or short stature (PR ranging from 0·40 to 0·83), and wealth and education were inversely associated with anaemia (PR ranging from 0·53 to 0·78). The prevalence of overweight was similar across subgroups among children <5 years; however, among women 11-19 years, wealth, non-indigenous household and urban areas were positively associated (PR ranging from 1·16 to 1·33); and among women 20-49 years, education was inversely associated (PR 0·83). CONCLUSIONS: Socially disadvantaged populations have a higher prevalence of undernutrition, whereas the prevalence of excess weight is either equal (children <5 years), slightly lower (women 11-19 years) or even higher (women 20-49 years) with lower education. These results highlight the need for specific actions to address social inequalities in malnutrition in the Mexican population.

Potential Impact of the Nonessential Energy-Dense Foods Tax on the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Children: A Modeling Study.

Background: Consumption of foods high in energy, sugar, fat, and salt contributes to the increase in body mass index and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children. Mexico implemented an 8% tax to non-essential energy-dense foods (NEDF) in 2014 as part of a national strategy to reduce obesity. Objective: We modeled the potential effect of the NEDF tax on body mass index and overweight and obesity in Mexican children (6-17 years). Materials and Methods: We used the Dynamic Childhood Growth and Obesity Model calibrated to Mexican children to simulate the potential 1-year effect of the NEDF tax on body weight. Inputs for the model included NEDF consumption, weight, and height, obtained from the 2012 Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey. To project the potential impact of the tax, we ran a first simulation without intervention and another reducing the caloric intake from NEDF in the proportion observed in the Mexican population after the tax (-5.1%). The tax effect was defined as the absolute difference in body mass index and prevalence of overweight and obesity between both models. Results: The tax on NEDF should lead to a mean reduction of 4.1 g or 17.4 kcal/day of NEDF at the population level. One year after the tax, mean body weight and body mass index should decrease 0.40 kg and 0.19 kg/m2; this translates into -1.7 and -0.4% points in overweight and obesity, respectively. Conclusions: The use of fiscal instruments to discourage the consumption of NEDF could help to reduce the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children.

The caloric and sugar content of beverages purchased at different store-types changed after the sugary drinks taxation in Mexico.

BACKGROUND: Following the 2014 sugary drinks tax implementation in Mexico, promising reduction in the volume of purchases of taxed beverages were observed overall and at different store-types. However, the tax's effects on purchasing patterns of calories and sugar remain unclear. METHODS: Using longitudinal data from Mexican households (n = 7038), we examined changes in volume, calories and total sugar of packaged beverages purchased from 2012 to 2016 overall and by store-type. We used fixed effects models to estimate means for volume, calories, and sugar of households. To address the potential selectivity from households shopping at different stores, we calculated inverse probability weights to model the purchases changes over time by store-type. RESULTS: For taxed beverages, the volume of purchases declined by - 49 ml and -30 ml in the first year and second year post tax (2014 and 2015, respectively), while purchases leveled off in the third year of the tax (2016). Calories and sugar from taxed beverage purchases decreased over time, with the majority of the declines occurring in the first two years post-tax implementation. The volume of untaxed beverage purchases increased, whereas changes in calories and total sugar of untaxed beverages were minimal. Store level purchases of taxed beverages significantly decreased in the first two years post taxation (2014 and to 2015) only in supermarkets and traditional stores. The steepest declines in purchases of taxed beverages in 2014 were observed at supermarkets (- 40 ml or - 45%). The volume of purchases of untaxed beverages increased over time in almost all store-types, while calories and sugar minimally decreased over time. CONCLUSION: Although the Mexican tax on SSBs has lowered the purchases of sugary drinks 3 years after the tax implementation, the tax should be strengthened and store-specific interventions should be implemented to further reduce SSBs purchases in the Mexican population.

[Determinants of non-essential energy-dense food consumption in Mexican population (Ensanut 2012).] / Determinantes del consumo de alimentos no básicos de alta densidad energética en población mexicana (Ensanut 2012).

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the sociodemographic profile associated with the probabilities of consumption of nonessential energy-dense foods (ANBADE), taxed since 2014. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used the National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut) 2012. ANBADE group was identified and probit models were estimated for the probabilities of consumption (PC) and of belonging to the high quintile of consumption after adjusting for total energy intake (PAC), as a function of sociodemographic characteristics. RESULTS: School-aged children have a PAC 10.7 percentage points (pp) higher vs. preschool-aged. Belonging to households with the highest expenditures or education of the head of the household are associated with a PC 3.3 or 3.2 pp higher vs. households with lower expenditures or education of the head, respectively. Living in metropolitan areas is associated with a PAC 5.2 pp higher vs. rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: The study identified the sociodemographic conditions associated with the largest PC or PAC of ANBADE, which may be considered in the design and evaluation of food policy.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar el perfil sociodemográfico que se asocia con las probabilidades de consumo de alimentos no básicos de alta densidad energética (ANBADE), gravados desde 2014. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se utilizó la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2012. Se identificó el grupo de ANBADE y se estimaron modelos probit sobre las probabilidades de consumo (PC) y de alto consumo después de ajustar por energía total (PAC), en función de características sociodemográficas. RESULTADOS: Los escolares tienen 10.7 puntos porcentuales (pp) más PAC frente a los preescolares. Pertenecer a hogares con el mayor gasto o escolaridad del jefe se asocia con una PC 3.3 y 3.2 pp mayor en comparación con los hogares de menor gasto o escolaridad del jefe, respectivamente. Vivir en localidades metropolitanas se asocia con una PAC 5.2 pp mayor frente a localidades rurales. CONCLUSIONES: El estudio identificó las condiciones sociodemográficas que se asocian con las mayores PC o PAC de ANBADE, que podrán considerarse en el diseño y evaluación de la política alimentaria.

Determinantes del consumo de alimentos no básicos de alta densidad energética en población mexicana (Ensanut 2012) / Determinants of non-essential energy-dense food consumption in Mexican population (Ensanut 2012)

Resumen: Objetivo: Caracterizar el perfil sociodemográfico que se asocia con las probabilidades de consumo de alimentos no básicos de alta densidad energética (ANBADE), gravados desde 2014. Material y métodos: Se utilizó la Encuesta Nacional de Salud y Nutrición (Ensanut) 2012. Se identificó el grupo de ANBADE y se estimaron modelos probit sobre las probabilidades de consumo (PC) y de alto consumo después de ajustar por energía total (PAC), en función de características sociodemográficas. Resultados: Los escolares tienen 10.7 puntos porcentuales (pp) más PAC frente a los preescolares. Pertenecer a hogares con el mayor gasto o escolaridad del jefe se asocia con una PC 3.3 y 3.2 pp mayor en comparación con los hogares de menor gasto o escolaridad del jefe, respectivamente. Vivir en localidades metropolitanas se asocia con una PAC 5.2 pp mayor frente a localidades rurales. Conclusiones: El estudio identificó las condiciones sociodemográficas que se asocian con las mayores PC o PAC de ANBADE, que podrán considerarse en el diseño y evaluación de la política alimentaria.

Abstract: Objective: To characterize the sociodemographic profile associated with the probabilities of consumption of nonessential energy-dense foods (ANBADE), taxed since 2014. Materials and methods: We used the National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensanut) 2012. ANBADE group was identified and probit models were estimated for the probabilities of consumption (PC) and of belonging to the high quintile of consumption after adjusting for total energy intake (PAC), as a function of sociodemographic characteristics. Results: School-aged children have a PAC 10.7 percentage points (pp) higher vs. preschool-aged. Belonging to households with the highest expenditures or education of the head of the household are associated with a PC 3.3 or 3.2 pp higher vs. households with lower expenditures or education of the head, respectively. Living in metropolitan areas is associated with a PAC 5.2 pp higher vs. rural areas. Conclusions: The study identified the sociodemographic conditions associated with the largest PC or PAC of ANBADE, which may be considered in the design and evaluation of food policy.

Reduction in purchases of energy-dense nutrient-poor foods in Mexico associated with the introduction of a tax in 2014.

In 2014, an 8% tax on energy-dense nutrient-poor foods was implemented in Mexico with the aim of reducing its consumption. This paper estimated changes in household purchases of taxed food. We used the latest five waves of the nationally representative Mexican Income and Expenditure Survey (2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016). The analytic sample comprises 154,777 households. We estimated changes in purchases based on a before and after comparison. Results show a reduction in purchases of taxed food of -5.4 g/week per capita, equivalent to a relative reduction of -5.3% in the 2014 and 2016 waves compared to the 2008, 2010 and 2012 rounds. The largest relative reductions were in urban areas (-6.9%), among households with children (-7.0%), households where the head had an intermediate educational level (-9.9%) and the southern region (-14.8%). We did not find a significant reduction in rural areas. While there is a large heterogeneity, the fiscal instrument has been effective in reducing taxed food purchases and has generated substantial revenue that could be used to finance policies for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Trends in Ultra-Processed Food Purchases from 1984 to 2016 in Mexican Households.

Global trade agreements have shaped the food system in ways that alter the availability, accessibility, affordability, and desirability of ready-to-eat foods. We assessed the time trends of ultra-processed foods purchases in Mexican households from 1984 to 2016. Cross-sectional data from 15 rounds of the National Income and Expenditure Survey (1984, 1989, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2016) were analyzed. Food and beverage purchases collected in a daily record instrument (over seven days) were classified according to their degree of processing according to the NOVA food framework: (1) Unprocessed or minimally processed foods; (2) processed culinary ingredients; (3) processed foods; and (4) ultra-processed foods. From 1984 to 2016, the total daily energy purchased decreased from 2428.8 to 1875.4 kcal/Adult Equivalent/day, there was a decrease of unprocessed or minimally processed foods (from 69.8% to 61.4% kcal) and processed culinary ingredients (from 14.0% to 9.0% kcal), and an increase of processed foods (from 5.7% to 6.5% kcal) and ultra-processed foods (from 10.5% to 23.1% kcal). Given that ultra-processed foods purchases have doubled in the last three decades and unprocessed or minimally processed foods purchased have gradually declined, future strategies should promote the consumption of unprocessed or minimally processed foods, and discourage ultra-processed foods availability and accessibility in Mexico.

[Position paper on taxes to non-basic energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages]. / Posicionamiento sobre los impuestos a alimentos no básicos densamente energéticos y bebidas azucaradas.

In 2014 the Mexican government implemented taxes to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and nonessential energy-dense foods. In this manuscript, we analyze the scientific evidence linking the consumption of these products to chronic diseases, and summarize the studies that have evaluated the observed and expected impact of food taxes in Mexico. The implementation of taxes to unhealthy foods has reduced purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages in 7.6% and nonessential energy-dense foods in 7.4%. A reduction in consumption could decrease obesity prevalence by 2.5%; prevent 20 000 cardiovascular disease events; 189 000 diabetes cases; and 20 000 cardiovascular deaths. Additionally, this impact could save nearly 1 173 million dollars from healthcare costs. Taxes to unhealthy foods should be strengthened up and remain as an integral part of the national strategy to reduce obesity and chronic diseases in Mexico.

En 2014, el gobierno mexicano implementó una política fiscal para disminuir el consumo de bebidas azucaradas y alimentos no básicos con alta densidad energética. Este documento resume y analiza los estudios que han evaluado el impacto observado y esperado de los impuestos a alimentos y bebidas no saludables en México. La implementación de impuestos ha logrado disminuir las compras de bebidas azucaradas en 7.6% y alimentos no básicos con alta densidad energética en 7.4%. La reducción de consumo de bebidas azucaradas podría reducir la obesidad en 2.5%, prevenir 20 000 casos de enfermedad cardiovascular y 189 000 casos de diabetes al año 2022, así como prevenir 2 000 muertes. Además, se espera que estos impuestos ayuden a reducir en 1 173 millones de dólares los costos de atención a la salud. Los impuestos a alimentos no saludables deben fortalecerse y permanecer como parte integral de la estrategia nacional dirigida a reducir la obesidad y las enfermedades crónicas en México.

Posicionamiento sobre los impuestos a alimentos no básicos densamente energéticos y bebidas azucaradas / Position paper on taxes to non-basic energy-dense foods and sugar-sweetened beverages

Resumen: En 2014, el gobierno mexicano implementó una política fiscal para disminuir el consumo de bebidas azucaradas y alimentos no básicos con alta densidad energética. Este documento resume y analiza los estudios que han evaluado el impacto observado y esperado de los impuestos a alimentos y bebidas no saludables en México. La implementación de impuestos ha logrado disminuir las compras de bebidas azucaradas en 7.6% y alimentos no básicos con alta densidad energética en 7.4%. La reducción de consumo de bebidas azucaradas podría reducir la obesidad en 2.5%, prevenir 20 000 casos de enfermedad cardiovascular y 189 000 casos de diabetes al año 2022, así como prevenir 2 000 muertes. Además, se espera que estos impuestos ayuden a reducir en 1 173 millones de dólares los costos de atención a la salud. Los impuestos a alimentos no saludables deben fortalecerse y permanecer como parte integral de la estrategia nacional dirigida a reducir la obesidad y las enfermedades crónicas en México.

Abstract: In 2014 the Mexican government implemented taxes to reduce the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and nonessential energy-dense foods. In this manuscript, we analyze the scientific evidence linking the consumption of these products to chronic diseases, and summarize the studies that have evaluated the observed and expected impact of food taxes in Mexico. The implementation of taxes to unhealthy foods has reduced purchases of sugar-sweetened beverages in 7.6% and nonessential energy-dense foods in 7.4%. A reduction in consumption could decrease obesity prevalence by 2.5%; prevent 20 000 cardiovascular disease events; 189 000 diabetes cases; and 20 000 cardiovascular deaths. Additionally, this impact could save nearly 1 173 million dollars from healthcare costs. Taxes to unhealthy foods should be strengthened up and remain as an integral part of the national strategy to reduce obesity and chronic diseases in Mexico.