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Dr. Robert RUTLEDGETitle of Paper: TAX SODA/SUBSIDIZE VEGETABLES;

PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY

Nationality: United States of AmericaPosition: Director

Department: SurgeryOrganization: Center For Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery

Tel: +1-702 714 0011E-mail: drr@clos.net

TAX SODASUBSIDIZE VEGETABLES;

PROFESSIONALS NEED TO BE MORE ACTIVE IN

SUPPORTING THE FIGHT AGAINST OBESITY

Robert RUTLEDGE11Director, Surgery, Center For Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery, United States of America

Introduction

• “The World Health Organization (WHO) has formally recognized

• Obesity as a global epidemic.” • Bariatric professionals need to act as • Leaders in addressing the Obesity

Epidemic.

Introduction

• “More than 35 million people die from Obesity Related Non-Communicable Diseass (NCDs) nearly two-thirds of the world's annual deaths.

• The prime risk factors are tobacco, alcohol, inactivity, and unhealthy diet

• Low FRUIT AND VEGETABLE and • High SUGAR, FAT AND SALT intake.”

Blaming the Victim

• “Occurs when the victim of an injury are

held responsible for the injuries they

suffer”

• E.g.: “A Case for Shaming Obese

People!!”

• Being overweight is not a “Sin” (gluttony)

Research to Tap in to Our Deepest Desires

• We are constantly being enticed to purchase things we don’t need,

• Including food. • Big companies like Coca Cola and General

Mills make millions of dollars every year using researched methods of advertising and food engineering to

• add SALT, SUGAR and FAT to food to generate increasing levels of Consumption

Identification of Primitive Desires to Eat SALT, SUGAR and FAT

• Companies use salt, sugar, and fat to tap into primitive urges to consume MORE!

• Their Research Has Paid OFF• Food companies have known for

decades that salt, sugar and fat are not good for us in the quantities present in processed foods

Warning:

Bariatric Surgeons are Profiting Millions of Dollars from the

Obesity Epidemic

Bariatric Surgeons are Profiting from the Obesity Epidemic

• Bariatric Professionals must be willing to speak out and act on the root causes of Obesity

Note: IT IS NOT LACK OF WILL POWER!!

Actions

• Reductions in • SUGAR, FAT AND SALT INTAKE • are critical to break the epidemic, • but how? • Learn form the fight against Smoking• Taxes and Regulations on unhealthy

food and • Subsidies on healthy foods.

Research on Effective Actions:

• Eyles et al reported that • taxes on carbonated soft drinks that a • 1% increase in the price of soft drinks • would decrease consumption by 1%. • 10% increase in the price of soft drinks

could decrease consumption by 1% to as much as 24%.

Decrease Cost of Vegetables Increased Intake of Vegetables

• The researchers' analysis showed that for each 1% reduction in the price of fruits and vegetables, consumption would increase by 0.35% and

• Compensatory purchasing effects, such as a reduction in chicken/meat/fish purchases.

Candy as “Food”!

• Since candy and soda are considered “food”

• They often carry no sales tax • Anti-obesity advocates have been

pushing to change that. • A few USA states — Washington and

Colorado — tax the sugary stuff, but the political battles are hard.

AMA Favors Soda Tax

• The American Medical Assn. • Voted at its annual meeting to • Support a SODA TAX as • One way to fight obesity and related

conditions.

Conclusions:

• Obesity is having a devastating impact upon countries around the world

• Like tobacco before it requires aggressive action to stop the its progression.

• Regulation and tax pricing strategies have the potential to produce improvements in population diets.

• We need to join together and Speak Up!