Mexico’s junk food tax will not cure obesity

On Oct. 17, the Mexican Senate approved an additional 5 percent tax on junk food and a 1 peso per liter tax on soft drinks. According to Slate, Mexicans consume about 16 ounces of soft drinks per day. In addition, 70 percent of Mexican adults are considered overweight, while the country’s obesity rate recently surpassed the United States’ at 32 percent, and continues to climb. Clearly, this alarming statistic indicates a need for change, but a tax on junk food is not the most effective way to combat national obesity.

Danny Razzano | Daily Trojan

Mexico’s junk food tax is poorly implemented and risks causing more harm than good by only evaluating foods on their caloric density. This junk food tax raises the price on packaged foods with 275 calories or more per 100 grams, which includes products such as Hostess Cupcakes and Doritos as well as beef jerky and almonds. But calories do not provide the whole picture when making intelligent food choices. When eaten in moderation, calorically dense foods make up part of a healthy diet. Even fatty foods, such as nuts, olive oil and avocados ,should not be eschewed completely; they provide key nutrients and contribute to a balanced diet.

Undoubtedly, calories play an integral role in weight gain, but they are not the only factor in healthy eating. Serving size and nutrition also play an important role in weight gain. If a consumer chooses to eat 12 servings of a less dense food, such as lemon sorbet, or one serving of a calorically dense food, such as a cinnamon bun, the caloric total is the same. In order to promote overall health, society should focus on nutrition. According to Medical Daily, many obese children also suffer from malnutrition. This paradox stems from a reliance on fast food and items with low nutritional value.

In addition, The New York Times points out that obesity is strongly related to poverty. The poor generally rely on cheap, readily available, nutritionally poor foods. Instead of taxing these items as a means to deter people from buying them, the government should address the unequal access to healthy options. Initiatives to educate and promote healthier food options in areas with high rates of obesity would better address the problem than creating a blanket tax on junk food. For example, reforming the school lunch programs to include healthier food not only helps children focus on learning but helps foster better eating habits.  Clearly, a better approach is needed in order to create the most benefit.

The soda tax has loopholes and proves to be an incomplete solution to the country’s rising obesity levels. Taxing sugar and calories invites an increase in artificial sweeteners and poses additional health risks. Coca-Cola’s Mexican branch proposed switching to corn syrup instead of cane sugar to evade the tax, according to an article in Slate. Yet, this switch to zero-calorie sweeteners does not solve the problem. According to a study published by the Duke University Medical Center, Splenda decreases friendly intestinal bacteria. Even though artificial sweeteners are touted for their lack of calories, in reality, they do not let consumers “have their cake and eat it too.” Artificial sweeteners give consumers a false sense that the sugar-free desserts they are eating are somehow healthy and do not foster healthy long-term eating habits.

Instead of levying a tax on government-defined “junk food,” Mexico should offer incentives for healthy eating and lifestyle choices. Not only do positive rewards foster a healthier attitude toward food, they can also help build lasting habits. According to the Telegraph, a National Health Service study demonstrated that people who received cash incentives for making healthy food choices continued to make good choices even after cash payments stopped. Creating fiscal rewards or tax incentives for healthy choices will help consumers equate healthy choices with positive rewards instead of junk food with punishment. In addition, Bloomberg reported that the national health service estimates that the soda tax will only reduce consumption between 10 and 13 percent.

Though it seems logical to blame the obesity epidemic on soda consumption, there are more factors contributing to this health problem. Using soda as a scapegoat for the national obesity epidemic is tempting but also shows a lack of critical thinking. Obesity is a complicated issue with many contributing factors. It cannot be simplified into soda consumption nor fixed through a junk food tax.

No one would argue that consuming excess amounts of soda is healthy, but a soda tax alone cannot solve the obesity epidemic. Junk food consumption is the most visible cause of obesity, not the most persistent and a tax on junk food will only provide a surface solution to this growing problem. Instead, Mexico should adopt an integrated approach, which focuses on proper nutrition and exercise, not just criminalizing soda and junk food.

Veronica An is a freshman majoring in health and humanity.