“There is evidence, from experiences in other countries, such as Mexico, that a taxation of sugary drinks reduces consumption. This does not mean, however, that placing a tax solves the problem of obesity, because nothing, individually, is solution to such a complex problem. Against obesity, the sugar tax is not enough, seen as part of a systemic intervention: in this case it may make sense”, explains Luca Busetto, vice-president of Southern Europe to Adnkronos. Association for the study of Obesity (Easo), on the sidelines of the European Congress on Obesity underway at the Lido of Venice.
To stem the obesity epidemic, continues Busetto, “combined policies are needed to combat the consumption of all unhealthy foods, which do not only include sugary drinks. We then need to encourage the consumption of healthy foods, also with fiscal levers. And again: encouraging physical exercise, in all sectors: workplaces, schools, city areas. And also on a legislative level, a law like the one – in an advanced stage of examination in Parliament – which will allow the tax deduction of expenses incurred for physical exercise in those with health problems. These are systemic interventions.”
Michele Carrubba, director of the Obesity Studies and Research Center at the State University of Milan, is less convinced of the usefulness of the sugar tax. The expert recalls that “we are faced with a very complex, multifactorial disease, to which many elements contribute. We cannot think that everything will be solved by acting on just one of them. There are already experiences in the world that have not worked”. Furthermore, “there are many foods that influence weight – he underlines – we need a balance between the different components, we need a balanced diet. The solution can only be overall, it concerns the culture of nutrition which should be taught in school more than any other subject I have never seen anyone die – he says provocatively – because he did not know a historical date or he did not know who Galileo Galilei was. I have seen many people die because they did not know how to eat.”
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