First Junk Food Tax in US

March 30, 2015

The Navajo Nation of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and northwestern New Mexico has a 10% obesity rate.  On April 1, 2015, the Navajo Nation implemented a 2% junk-food tax on its reservation, hoping to curb obesity.  They have eliminated the 5% sales tax that existed for fresh produce.  The tax revenue has been planned to fund community wellness projects.   Type 2 diabetes affects up to 60% of the people of the reservation.  The Navajo Nation is the first place in the U.S. to impose a junk-food tax (Toppa). Read More >>> 

Calorie Counts on Menus Don’t Work

November 30, 2015

Health advocates have long called for calorie counts on menus, believing that if more Americans knew what was in their food, they would eat less of it. While restaurants and fast food chains that have implemented menu calorie counts have responded by decreasing the average calorie load per food item, consumers have not dramatically changed their behavior. In fact, some studies have shown that consumers buy higher calorie foods when calorie counts are available – not less. These findings have implications for policymakers and health advocates who might be better off proposing policies which mandate certain changes, rather than hope consumers change their behaviors. Read More >>>