Associations between trajectories of obesity prevalence in English primary school children and the UK soft drinks industry levy: An interrupted time series analysis of surveillance data
Cambridge researchers have published a new study looking at the impact the Soft Drinks Industry Levy (SDIL) has had on obesity levels in children in reception and year 6 between 2014 and 2020.
Researchers found the greatest reductions in obesity levels in year 6 girls, with an association of an 8% relative reduction, equivalent to preventing over 5000 cases of obesity per year. Further to this, they found that the girls who attended a school in a deprived area, had the greatest reduction in obesity levels.
No such association was found in children in reception or year 6 boys.
The study did not look at older children, who are likely to consume more sugar-sweetened drinks than those in reception and year 6, and who the SDIL would likely have had a bigger effect on.
One explanation on why year 6 boys were less affected than year 6 girls by the SDIL, is the possible impact of advertising where previous studies have found boys are more likely to be more exposed to junk food advertising than girls.
Dr Kawther Hashem, Research Fellow at Queen Mary University of London and Campaign Lead for the Action on Sugar, “This shows there is growing evidence on the health impact of the UK sugary drinks tax. It is time the government takes clear notice and draws from its own policy inspiration and extends the sugar tax to other food and drink categories to encourage companies to improve their products.”
Click here to read the Research Article
