SUGAR-SWEETENED BEVERAGES CONSUMPTION AND PRICE SENSITIVITY AMONG BRAZILIAN ADULTS- IMPLICATIONS FOR OBESITY POLICIES

Author(s)

Cardoso LB
UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL, PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: In this context, the challenge of this essay is to estimate the price elasticity for soda and fruit drink in Brazil and the price effects on weight outcomes and obesity prevalence. METHODS: The elasticity was measured through a two-part model (TPM) estimated for all sample and different subgroups. The empirical model explains the quantities of SSB demanded as function of its prices and other variables. Considering the estimated elasticity, we converted the reduction on consumption into weight transforming the consumption elasticity from grams to kilocalories and then we applied a frequently used rule, which considers that a reduction of 3,500 calories induces a 0,450 kg loss in body weight, everything else remaining equal. RESULTS: Overall, the results display a smaller prevalence and lower consumption with higher prices. The TPM model predicts a reduction of 348.3g in weekly soda consumption and 4.5g of fruit drink to each one Real increased price. For all sample estimates, price elasticity is -0.61 for soda and -1.32 for fruit drinks, suggesting that a 20% increase in price was associated with a decline of soda and fruit drink in weekly consumption by 12.2% and 26.4%, respectively. This evidence shows a higher sensitivity to price changes for juice drinks than for soda, in spite of the higher consumption of soda. TConsidering that weight reductions, the prevalence of overweight among adults could decline from 48.13 to 47.75 percent and obesity prevalence could be reduced from 18.77 to 18.5 percent in one year. CONCLUSIONS: Our main findings suggest that tax policy might be an effective tool to reduce the soda and juice drink consumption and body weight. We also identified that subgroups who consume higher amounts of SSB are relatively more price sensitive and in these cases pricing policies have an expressive potential in reducing SSB consumption and body weight.

Conference/Value in Health Info

2015-05, ISPOR 2015, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Value in Health, Vol. 18, No. 3 (May 2015)

Code

PSY79

Topic

Epidemiology & Public Health

Topic Subcategory

Public Health

Disease

Diabetes/Endocrine/Metabolic Disorders

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