De-normalizing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: effects of tax measures on social norms and attitudes in the California Bay Area

Summary

This study examines the impact of sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxes on social norms and attitudes towards SSB consumption in the California Bay Area. The study found a 28% reduction in social norms for SSB consumption and variable reductions in attitudes about the healthfulness of SSBs.

Highlights

• The study used annual cross-sectional surveys from 2016 to 2019 and 2021 in lower-income neighborhoods in Oakland, San Francisco, Berkeley, and Richmond.
• The study found significant declines in perceived consumption of soda, sports drinks, and fruit drinks across all cities.
• The largest declines in perceived consumption of SSBs were observed in cities with the greatest perceived consumption at baseline.
• Following tax implementation in Oakland, respondents reported lower perceived sports drink consumption by their peers.
• In San Francisco, respondents reported less favorable attitudes about the healthfulness of fruit drinks post-tax.
• The study suggests that SSB taxes and media coverage may contribute to shifts in social norms and attitudes.
• The study highlights the importance of de-normalizing SSB consumption, particularly among lower-income populations.

Key Insights

• The study's findings suggest that SSB taxes can contribute to shifts in social norms and attitudes towards SSB consumption, which can ultimately lead to reductions in SSB intake.
• The significant declines in perceived consumption of SSBs across all cities indicate a promising trend towards de-normalizing SSB consumption.
• The study highlights the importance of considering social norms as a powerful mechanism by which SSB taxes and other SSB control efforts impact behavior.
• The findings suggest that public health messaging and campaigns should focus on shifting social norms and attitudes towards SSB consumption, particularly among lower-income populations.
• The study's results indicate that SSB taxes can be an effective tool in reducing SSB consumption, particularly when combined with public health messaging and campaigns.
• The study's findings have implications for policymakers and public health advocates seeking to reduce SSB consumption and promote healthier beverage choices.
• The study highlights the need for further research on the impact of SSB taxes on social norms and attitudes towards SSB consumption, particularly among different population groups.

Mindmap

Citation

Altman, E., Schillinger, D., Villas-Boas, S., Schmidt, L., Falbe, J., & Madsen, K. A. (2024). De-normalizing sugar-sweetened beverage consumption: effects of tax measures on social norms and attitudes in the California Bay Area. In BMC Public Health (Vol. 24, Issue 1). Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-20781-6