http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162...to-consume-more-sugary-drinks-study-suggests/
Good thing the judge struck down the ban, or obesity might increase.
Good thing the judge struck down the ban, or obesity might increase.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg made headlines when he proposed a ban on selling sodas larger than 16 ounces at New York City eateries.
Under the law, restaurants, fast food chains, delis, sports venues, movie theaters and street vendors would not be allowed to sell bottles and cups of sugar-sweetened beverages that exceeded the size limit. Refills, however, and the option to purchase additional 16-ounce beverages are permitted under the law.
A new study suggests this type of law may backfire and actually cause people to purchase more sugary beverages.
"Our research shows the New York City ban on large-sized drinks may have unintended consequences that policy makers need to consider," study author Brent M. Wilson, a graduate student in the department of psychology at UC San Diego, said in a press release.
The city's soda ban was set to go into effect in March 2013, before New York Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling ruled the day before its implementation that the city may not enforce the new regulation. Tingling called the law "arbitrary," because of loopholes in the regulations, such as exemptions for milk-based beverages sold at restaurants and sugary drinks sold at grocery and convenience stores.
The researchers wanted to see anyway whether this type of ban would have its intended effects.
For the study, published April 10 in PLoS One, Wilson and fellow researchers offered 100 participants three kinds of menus. One "unregulated" menu offered drinks in 16 ($1.59), 24 ($1.79) or 32-ounce sizes ($1.99), one menu offered only 16-ounce drinks (also for $1.59) for sale and the third offered either one 16-ounce soda ($1.59) or bundles of two 12-ounce ($1.79) or 16-ounce ($1.99) sodas.
The menus were presented on paper that had drawings of cups, a popcorn container and slices of pizza . Participants were randomized to purchase the items as if they were at a fast food restaurant, movie theater or stadium to mimic establishments where the New York City ban would take place.
Participants bought significantly more soda from the menu with bundles of 12 ounce and 16 ounce drinks than they did when offered individual sodas of different sizes.
The researchers also determined based on these choices, that businesses could make more money bundling drinks than only offering one small size. Bundled drinks also outsold the unregulated menu with multiple sizes, which suggests this type of soda ban could make businesses more money.
"Sugary drinks are a major source of business revenue, and businesses will adjust their menus in order to maximize profits," said Wilson.
The researchers wrote that the study had limitations, including that it didn't actually measure how much soda participants consumed, only what they bought.
Barbara Jean Rolls, chair of nutritional studies at Penn State University, also pointed out to HealthDay that the study lacked the real-world component because it did not take place in an actual restaurant, and participants were simply told the setting they were in.
However, one expert thought there was truth to this effect.
"Most people getting ready to buy soda will go for the regular size," David Just, a professor of behavioral economics at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., told the Los Angeles Times. He was not involved in the research.
However, for those who want a large soda and are prevented from buying one, "they're going to display what we call reactance -- a rebelliousness, a determination to circumvent this policy, an attitude of 'I'll show them.' And the people selling the soda are all too willing to comply."
I spoke out against this law but that study is meaningless because it assumes that anyone would ever sell a bundle of two 16-ounce sodas for only 25% more than one 16-ounce soda. I have never in my life stepped into a movie theater or stadium that sold "bundles". The entire reason that they sell a 32-ounce soda for only 25% more than a 16-ounce one is that the variable cost of the soda is close to nothing, and they know most people won't share them. If they sold two 16-ounces for the same price, they'd lose revenue.
The researchers also determined based on these choices, that businesses could make more money bundling drinks than only offering one small size. Bundled drinks also outsold the unregulated menu with multiple sizes, which suggests this type of soda ban could make businesses more money.
Can they just ban High frustoc corn syrup already??? That stuff is poison. Gives you the beetus.
No it doesn't. Consuming too much of it does. Then again, consuming too much of any one thing is bad for you. Thinking dihydrogen monoxide.
HFCS is in way too many products. It's a scorge on soceity
Thinking dihydrogen monoxide.
HFCS is in way too many products. It's a scorge on soceity
No it doesn't. Consuming too much of it does. Then again, consuming too much of any one thing is bad for you. Thinking dihydrogen monoxide.
Perhaps, but I have the ability and freedom to choose.
that's very naive, because you do not have the ability to choose--The food industry has already made this choice for you. They have colluded with the FDA and department of Ag to ensure that nearly everything in your supermarket is jacked full of HFCS.
Sure, you can choose...between varieties of products loaded with the same shit.
relevant:
"You can choose any color you want, as long as that color is black!"
People want the nanny state to come to the rescue because the food industry collusion with the govt has resulted in a toxic food supply for America.
Huge multinational corporations dominate our food markets and have led to an unhealthy population.
I salute Mayor Bloomberg for trying a small step towards a healthier population. Of course there is a backlash from the corporate food suppliers and reactionary fools.
There is no limit on the amount of sodas you can buy, only a limit on the size.
You would think the sky is falling from the reaction.
One freedom at a time? You are still free to buy as much soda as you want.
Damn those nanny state liberals, only selling me as many 16oz sodas as I want, and still selling 2 liter bottles of soda. Damn them.
It might result in fewer people ending up obese, and needing expensive medical care that righties don't want to pay for, that's the point.
Nothing but an excuse for righties to go ballistic about another restriction put on them by govt.
Damn them for selling me as many sodas as I can pay for.
that's very naive, because you do not have the ability to choose--The food industry has already made this choice for you. They have colluded with the FDA and department of Ag to ensure that nearly everything in your supermarket is jacked full of HFCS.
Sure, you can choose...between varieties of products loaded with the same shit.
relevant:
"You can choose any color you want, as long as that color is black!"
This soda ban has nothing to do with public health policy, it's just King Bloomberg trying to prove his manhood by issuing edicts.
People want the nanny state to come to the rescue because the food industry collusion with the govt has resulted in a toxic food supply for America.