Health Warning Labels Prevent Parents From Buying Sugary Beverages, Study Finds

The drinking of sugary-sweetened beverages is linked to weight gain, tooth decay and obesity in children. The health warning labels on sugary drinks might reduce the buying of parents on the said drinks, according to a study which was published in the online journal, Pediatrics on Thursday, Jan. 14.

News Health reports the new study, led by Christina Roberto, an assistant professor of medical ethics and health policy at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine -- involving almost 2,400 parents who had, at least, one kid (aged 6 to 11 years old).

The parents were separated into six groups and they were asked to buy drinks for their children. One of the groups saw no health warning label on the drinks they are supposed to buy; hence, another group saw the listing of calories in the label. The rest of the groups saw different healthy warning labels stating the effects of sugary drinks. These include obesity, tooth decay, weight gain and Type 2 diabetes.

The outcome showed that 40 percent of parents who looked at the health warning labels chose a sugary drink. On the other hand, 60 percent of the parents who saw no health warning label chose a sugary drink. And 53 percent of parents who saw the calorie-only label likewise chose the sugary drink. "The warning labels seem to help in a way that calorie labels do not," Roberto further affirmed.

Circulation Journal states that obesity is a major global health problem. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there are 1.6 billion adults all over the world who are overweight and 400 million who are obese. More so, the American Heart Association calls for a reduction of added-sugar intake, which refers to the sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB). This advisory is aimed towards preventing certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and weight gain that may eventually lead to obesity.