Abstract
As the prevalence of excess body weight has become normalized in Canadian society, this paper arguesfor implementation of a sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and high saturated fat (SF) food taxation inCanada. These harmful foods and beverages are associated with excess calorie intake, lower nutrientintake, and a rise in body mass index. As the waistlines of Canadians continue to grow, it is of utmostimportance for obesity and overweight to be externally managed by the government with taxation onunhealthy substances, and a simultaneous subsidy on healthier alternatives. Potentially pairing SSB/SFtaxation with a fruits and vegetables subsidy could be one of the most effective means of achieving alteredconsumption patterns. The purpose is to curb availability of the former, increase consumption of the latter,and reduce weight gain and the harms that come along with it (e.g. metabolic disease and type II diabetes).The paper’s analysis focuses on children, adolescents (12-17 years old), and lower socioeconomic statuspopulations, as these populations are at a higher risk for overweight and obesity and would be mostpositively affected by the proposed taxation and subsidy. Briefly outlining the options governments have inreducing the levels of SSB/SF, questions are posed for future research regarding the area of ultra-processedfood taxations. Finally, notable objections to SSB/SF taxation are considered and alternative methods aresuggested such as income-based subsidy programs, which address inequitable distributions of proposedtaxation on vulnerable groups like children, adolescents, and lower socioeconomic status groups.
 Keywords: Canada, fat tax, obesity, subsidy, taxation, ultra-processed foods
Highlights
It is well documented that convenience comes with increased calories, unnecessary fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates that are strongly correlated with increased levels of overweight and obesity (Moubarac et al, 2014)
This is because ultra-processed foods, per the United Nation’s Nova food classification system, are “not modified foods, but formulations made mostly or entirely from substances derived from foods and additives, with little if any intact [unprocessed or minimally processed foods]” (Monteiro et al, 2017, p. 9; Moubarac et al, 2014)
It is safe to say the prevalence of excess body weight has become normalized in Canadian society, made clear by the fact that the average body mass index sits in the overweight category at 26-27 kg/m2 (Ogilvie & Eggleton, 2016)
Summary
It is well documented that convenience comes with increased calories, unnecessary fats, sugars, and refined carbohydrates that are strongly correlated with increased levels of overweight and obesity (Moubarac et al, 2014). It is of utmost importance for obesity and overweight to be regulated through immediate implementation of a tax on unhealthy substances, along with a simultaneous subsidy on healthier alternatives To explore this concept, I conducted a literature review focused on the Canadian context, while drawing upon other countries’ successes and failures in implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and foods high in fats. I conducted a literature review focused on the Canadian context, while drawing upon other countries’ successes and failures in implementing a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) and foods high in fats As both saturated and trans fats are contributing factors in the increased levels of overweight and obesity through the consumption of ultra-processed foods, saturated fats (SF) are solely focused on throughout the literature review because research is more established, and a successful taxation of SF could act as a gateway into the worse-for-you trans fats. Most of the medical community has transitioned from thinking fat was the sole issue, to realizing sugar, fructose, is one of the main adversaries in the battle against obesity, furthering the need for a taxation on both substances (Lustig et al, 2012)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
