Reducing Sugary Drink Consumption: AAP Recommends Implementing Policies

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that policy makers use their power to improve child nutrition by implementing efforts to decrease sugary drink consumption.

Consumption of sugary drinks contributes to childhood and adolescent obesity and poor health. Drawing on the success of policies aimed at reducing tobacco and alcohol use, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a Policy Statement recommending similar federal, state, and local efforts to reduce the intake of sugary drinks.

Recommendations include:

Increase the price of sugary drinks. Evidence shows that a 10% increase in price reduces consumption by 7%. An excise tax of 10% to 20% accompanied by an educational campaign on the risks of sugary drinks is most effective.
Decrease marketing of sugary drinks to children and adolescents.
Federal nutrition assistance programs should encourage healthy food and beverage choices.
Nutrition info…

Reviewing Author

Louis M. Bell, MD

Disclosures

Grant/Research SupportNIH Institutional Clinical and Translational Science Award; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality National Center for Pediatric Practice Based Research Learning; Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare

Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)

Louis M. Bell, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsCurrent Problems in Pediatric Adolescent Healthcare

Leadership Positions in Professional Societies College of Physicians of Philadelphia (Board of Trustees)

Reducing Sugary Drink Consumption: AAP Recommends Implementing Policies

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Reviewing Author